The captain and co-pilot of a flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia have been transferred to Abu Dhabi after their medical condition improved. The move follows an initial joint investigation by Saudi and UAE authorities into the unusual incident that forced the aircraft to divert mid-flight.
flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when it declared an emergency and landed safely at Tabuk airport at 9:45 am. The plane carried 174 passengers and eight crew members. Two replacement aircraft were later sent to Tabuk. Passengers resumed their journey on another flydubai plane at 5:40 pm the same day, while the remaining crew members returned to Dubai on a separate flight.
According to preliminary findings released by Saudi authorities with the participation of a UAE security team, the co-pilot assaulted the captain during the flight. Both pilots sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital in Tabuk for treatment. Once doctors cleared them and their health stabilised, the two pilots left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on the morning of October 1. They were accompanied by UAE security officials.
Further questioning of the captain and co-pilot is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi as the investigation continues. Authorities are examining the sequence of events that led to the mid-air confrontation and the subsequent emergency landing. The focus remains on understanding what triggered the assault and ensuring full accountability.
The incident has drawn attention because commercial flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv normally operate without major disruptions. Aviation experts note that cockpit violence is extremely rare and raises serious questions about crew resource management and psychological screening. Passengers on board reported a calm but tense atmosphere after the landing, with ground staff quickly arranging alternative transport.
Saudi and UAE officials have maintained close coordination throughout the process. The decision to move the pilots to Abu Dhabi allows investigators easier access to airline records, flight data, and crew background information held in the United Arab Emirates. Both governments have stressed that passenger safety remained the top priority at every stage.
As the probe deepens, more details are likely to emerge about the exact circumstances inside the cockpit. For now, the safe diversion of the aircraft and the orderly transfer of passengers stand as the clearest outcomes of a difficult day for flydubai operations.
