Flydubai announced Wednesday that it had temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while an investigation continues into an incident involving a flight traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport.
The airline said the temporary suspension would allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident.
Flydubai said it remains in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and relevant airport stakeholders, adding that it will review the suspension once more information becomes available.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport, was involved in an incident inside the cockpit that resulted in the flight being diverted and making an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said the incident had been brought under control and that some members of the aircraft’s crew were injured and taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai said an altercation had occurred inside the cockpit and that one of the members of a standby flight crew who was traveling as a passenger managed to secure control of the aircraft, divert the flight and land safely in Tabuk.
The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe, while stressing that the causes and circumstances of the incident remain unknown and are subject to an official investigation.
Flydubai urged against speculation until the investigation is completed.
Source: Agencies
