Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel after its co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, prompting an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia.
The Dubai-based airline said Wednesday that the suspension would remain in place pending an investigation into the incident aboard flight FZ 1073.
Flydubai said the decision was made in coordination with authorities as investigators work to establish what happened. The airline said it was also coordinating with regulators and airport stakeholders and would review the suspension as more information becomes available.
UAE media reported that the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to suddenly lose altitude. Other crew members and passengers reportedly overpowered the alleged attacker.
Flydubai said off-duty crew members traveling aboard the flight helped secure the aircraft before it was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said some crew members were injured and has launched an investigation covering the operational and security aspects of the incident.
All 174 passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv aboard another Flydubai flight.
The airline apologized to affected passengers and said it was working to provide alternative arrangements where possible.
The incident comes as air links between Israel and the UAE remain affected by the war in Iran. Flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai had been halted at the end of February.
Hours after the incident, Israeli flag carrier El Al announced preparations to resume Tel Aviv-Dubai flights in November after a suspension of more than eight months.
Israel’s Channel 13 also reported that Israeli authorities were considering whether to revoke Flydubai’s license to operate in the country following the incident.
With reports from Xinhua News Agency
