DOHA, October 2. /TASS/. Emirati airline Flydubai has suspended flights to Tel Aviv at the authorities’ request following an incident aboard an aircraft that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said in a statement.
"At the request of the authorities, we have temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv until further notice. Our teams are working around the clock to support passengers whose plans have been disrupted and help them reach their final destinations," the company CEO said. Al Ghaith confirmed that all 172 passengers and crew members aboard flight FZ 1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, are safe. He also said that the aircraft’s captain, who was injured in the incident, has already returned to the UAE after receiving medical clearance.
The CEO expressed his deep gratitude to the crew, captain and pilots who managed to ensure the aircraft’s safety and land it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, as well as to passengers who provided assistance in the difficult situation. He thanked the authorities of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their prompt response and assistance. The Flydubai CEO added that the competent authorities are conducting a comprehensive official investigation into the incident, which the airline is supporting.
On September 30, a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at the Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia due to a security incident. The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry confirmed on October 1 that the incident was caused by an attack on the captain by the co-pilot, resulting in injuries to both. The ministry specified that, once they had recovered, both pilots flew to Abu Dhabi with Emirati security forces. The remaining six crew members had already returned safely to Dubai. UAE authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, including a review of security measures.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously characterized the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
