Flydubai flight makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after cockpit assault

A Flydubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in northwestern Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit, according to Saudi authorities. The aircraft was diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday, where it landed safely. Saudi officials later said the captain had been assaulted by the co-pilot and that both men were injured.

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Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said the plane arrived at 9:45am local time with 174 passengers and eight crew members on board. The ministry said the emergency landing followed a preliminary investigation into the incident, which involved a security team from the United Arab Emirates. Flydubai said on the day of the event that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck and that crew members secured the aircraft before diverting it.

The ministry said the captain and co-pilot were taken to hospital for treatment after their condition was assessed. It added that all necessary care was provided and that the two pilots later left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, accompanied by the Emirati security team, after being medically cleared. Passengers continued their journey on a replacement Flydubai aircraft at about 5:40pm the same day, while the rest of the crew returned to Dubai on another flight.

The incident has drawn attention because it involved a commercial flight operating on an international route between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, with the diversion taking place in Saudi airspace. Saudi Arabia said it handles emergencies in line with its international and humanitarian obligations and pointed to the readiness of its aviation and security systems to respond to exceptional cases. The case also highlights the role of cross-border coordination when an in-flight security event affects passengers, crew and airport operations in more than one country.

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Saudi Arabia's National Transport Safety Center said its investigation team had begun work and was coordinating with authorities to determine the circumstances and collect evidence. The UAE attorney general also opened an investigation into the cockpit fight, indicating that the matter is being examined in both countries. The sequence of official statements suggests the incident is being treated as both an aviation safety issue and a criminal matter.

What remains unclear is what led to the confrontation in the cockpit and whether any wider operational or security failures will be identified. The available statements do not give further detail on the injuries sustained by the two pilots. The next developments are likely to come from the Saudi and Emirati investigations, which may clarify how the altercation began and whether any charges or regulatory action follow.

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