flydubai has temporarily suspended Tel Aviv flights after flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September, diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following a serious cockpit incident. UAE authorities are investigating the episode, while Israel and the United States have offered assistance as the inquiry examines whether it involved terrorist activity or prior planning.
The UAE Attorney-General said investigators believe the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act and attacked the captain with a crash axe. flydubai confirmed that all 172 passengers and crew were safe and receiving support, and that the captain, who was injured, had returned to the UAE after receiving medical clearance.
The aircraft diverted safely to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk after the altercation in the flight deck. Saudi, UAE and other authorities are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, including motive and any links to wider planning, with final findings still pending.
The suspension of Tel Aviv services remains in place at the request of the authorities, affecting one of flydubai’s key Israel routes. The airline has said it will review the halt once more information becomes available, while passengers and operational partners continue to be supported through the investigation period.