flydubai suspended all flights to Tel Aviv on September 30 after a safety incident forced flight FZ 1073 to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident involved an alleged attack by a co‑pilot on the captain, which triggered a sudden loss of more than 16,000 feet within minutes and a series of distress signals.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737‑800, carried 172 people – the bulk of them Israeli passengers – along with a crew of five. In the second hour of flight, the plane sloped sharply, lost altitude, and spiraled toward the ground before the pilots regained control.
CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said the captain received medical clearance and returned to the UAE, and all passengers and crew were safe. He praised the crew’s quick actions and the co‑pilot’s restraint.
Saudi and UAE authorities helped passengers return home, with the Saudi Ministry of Civil Aviation applauding the swift response. The airline thanked both governments for their support.
An official probe led by Saudi and UAE aviation authorities is underway. flydubai will not comment until the investigation releases its findings.
An Israeli family of four, booked to return to Tel Aviv, now faces uncertainty over travel plans as the airline remains on hold.