Dubai, UAE — Oct. 2026 — A flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation in the flight deck, injuring some crew members.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport on September 30 experienced a security incident that was brought under control. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Injured crew members were taken to a hospital in the kingdom for treatment.
Following the incident, flydubai said it would suspend all flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues. The airline said the suspension would be reviewed as more information becomes available.
“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation,” flydubai said in a statement.
Aircraft secured by crew
The airline said on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight secured the aircraft, diverted it and landed it safely at Tabuk. It said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
flydubai had sent two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to relieve the passengers and crew. It said the incident had no impact on other scheduled operations across its network.
Investigation under way
The GCAA said its investigation teams, working with the relevant authorities, are determining the causes and circumstances of the incident, including a review of operational and security aspects.
The authority urged the public not to circulate unofficial information or pre-empt the findings, which it said would be shared once issued. flydubai also called on all parties to refrain from premature speculation.
