Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
A Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai passenger jet carrying 174 people made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on September 30, following a violent cockpit altercation. The incident involved flight FZ 1073 traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, according to aviation authorities and Israeli officials.
Emergency Landing in Tabuk After Cockpit Fight
According to Israeli officials and passengers on board, a fight broke out inside the cockpit during the flight, resulting in the co-pilot stabbing the captain. The attack caused the aircraft to plunge in what passengers described as a death-dive. Crew members and passengers eventually subdued the assailant, allowing the plane to land safely in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority acknowledged that a security incident aboard the aircraft forced the diversion. Out of the 174 people on board, no fatalities were reported, though the captain was reportedly seriously injured during the altercation.
Official Reactions to the Incident
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacker had apparently planned to crash the plane. He credited the actions of the captain and passengers with preventing what he termed a 9/11 disaster.
United States President Donald Trump discussed the incident with Netanyahu by phone. Trump suggested that the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack-job, according to public statements.
Flydubai Suspends Israel Routes
Dubai-based airline Flydubai announced the suspension of all flights to and from Israel following the event. Direct air travel between the UAE and Israel has served as a primary symbol of normalized diplomatic relations since the signing of the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the airline announced that services connecting Israel and Flydubai would be put on hold pending the ongoing probe, working alongside concerned agencies following the September 30 event concerning flight FZ 1073.
The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority, Flydubai added. Allowing investigating bodies to proceed with their inquiries and uncover all details regarding what happened is the purpose behind this brief pause in operations.