Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel after flight FZ1073 from Dubai International to Ben Gurion International Airport was involved in a flight-deck incident on 30 September and diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft landed safely, with all passengers and crew accounted for, while the carrier deployed replacement aircraft to assist those on board.
The Dubai-based airline said an altercation occurred in the flight deck and that on-duty crew travelling on the flight secured the aircraft before the diversion. It added that the incident did not affect other scheduled operations across its wider network. The exact cause and motive remain under formal investigation.
Saudi authorities have opened an inquiry into the emergency landing and the circumstances surrounding the event, while the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority described it as a security incident that was brought under control. The authority also said crew members were injured and taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia. The route disruption affects one of flydubai’s international services linking Dubai with Tel Aviv, and the temporary suspension remains in place until investigators establish the facts.