UAE airline Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel following an incident aboard a flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The airline said the suspension would remain in place while authorities investigate the incident.
“Following the incident involving flight FZ 1073 on 30 September, and in coordination with the relevant authorities, flydubai flights to and from Israel will be suspended while the investigation continues,” a Flydubai spokesperson said.
In an official statement, the airline said: “Following the incident involving flight FZ 1073 on 30 September, and in coordination with the relevant authorities, flydubai flights to and from Israel will be suspended while the investigation continues.”
Flydubai asserted
that the “safety and well-being of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority.”
“This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident”.
It said it would cooperate with authorities in their investigation into the cockpit incident.
“We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and maintaining the highest safety standards across our network. We remain in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders and will review the suspension as more information becomes available”.
“We apologise to passengers whose travel plans have been affected and are working to provide support and alternative arrangements where possible”, said the airline.
Flight Diverted To Saudi Arabia
Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Tabuk in north-west Saudi Arabia. Flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for after the aircraft landed.
The airline earlier said the reasons for an altercation on board were not known and urged against “premature speculation” as the investigation continues.
Israeli officials said one of the pilots stabbed the other and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. Passengers reportedly helped subdue the co-pilot before other Flydubai crew members took control of the plane and landed it safely.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident could have resulted in a major disaster.
Israel Calls Incident Terror Attack
Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as an “attempted terrorist attack” aimed at damaging ties between Israel and the UAE, which established diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called it an “attempted jihadist terror attack”, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry director general said it targeted Israelis, the UAE and the Abraham Accords.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan after the incident. The two agreed to work together against extremist elements seeking to threaten regional security and stability.
The incident comes amid a regional war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and weeks before Israel’s scheduled elections. Netanyahu had also warned a day earlier of possible threats against Israelis abroad.
(With inputs from agencies)
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