- Affected country
- Saudi Arabia
- Location / route
- Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Tabuk
- Official source
- Google News — UAE regulation
- Published by source
- October 2, 2026 11:05 AM CST
- Effective period
- September 30, 2026 9:45 AM CST – October 1, 2026 12:00 AM CST
- Last verified
- October 2, 2026 4:13 PM CST
- Status
- Resolved
Official guidance
Authorities safely handled an in-flight emergency diversion for flydubai FZ1073 and dispatched a replacement flight for all passengers.
Summary of official information. Always check the official source and follow the guidance of the authorities. UECN does not issue risk ratings; the absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
Update — October 2, 2026 4:13 PM CST: A preliminary investigation conducted by Saudi authorities alongside UAE security personnel found that the co-pilot of flydubai Flight FZ1073 assaulted the captain, injuring both individuals. The aircraft diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, landing safely with 174 passengers and eight crew members. Following medical treatment in Tabuk, both pilots were cleared and transferred to Abu Dhabi.
An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior reported that a preliminary investigation into the emergency landing of flydubai flight FZ1073 established that the co-pilot assaulted the captain during an altercation inside the flight deck, leaving both pilots injured. The joint probe was conducted by Saudi authorities in participation with an Emirati security team following the aircraft's emergency diversion.
The flydubai Boeing aircraft, which departed Dubai International Airport bound for Tel Aviv on September 30, was granted emergency clearance and touched down safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk at 9:45 am local time (0645 GMT) carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members. Saudi authorities stated that medical evaluation and logistics support were provided on arrival.
All 174 passengers resumed their journey on a replacement flydubai aircraft at approximately 5:40 pm on Wednesday, while the remaining flight crew returned to Dubai on a separate flight. Both pilots received medical treatment at a local hospital in Tabuk and, following medical clearance, departed Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, October 1, escorted by the UAE security team as investigations by UAE authorities proceed.
Revision history
- Resolved Official update applied: A preliminary investigation conducted by Saudi authorities alongside UAE security personnel found that the co-pilot of flydubai Flight…
- Active Published automatically from the official source
Sources
- gulfbusiness.com · 2026-10-02
