1 hr ago
Two Flydubai Flights Diverted Amid Fears of Hijacking
Two Flydubai airplanes changed their routes on Wednesday.
One plane, called FZ1073, asked to land urgently in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
People on board said they heard screams and saw blood in the cockpit.
Some reports said the co-pilot may have hurt the captain, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Both pilots were taken to a hospital.
The passengers were treated at the airport and the plane landed safely.
Another Flydubai plane flying toward Tel Aviv turned around and went back to Dubai.
Authorities and Flydubai were working on replacement aircraft and investigating the incident.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 requested an emergency landing at Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport Wednesday morning.
Passengers reported screams, blood and a sudden plunge before FZ1073 landed safely just over an hour later.
A passenger and an Israeli official alleged that the co-pilot stabbed the captain, but officials have not confirmed what happened.
The captain and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital, while passengers received treatment at the airport terminal.
A second flight, FZ1081, diverted from its Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route and returned to Dubai; Flydubai was arranging replacement aircraft.
- Who
- Passengers and crew aboard Flydubai flights FZ1073 and FZ1081, including the injured captain and co-pilot of FZ1073.
- What
- FZ1073 made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, while FZ1081 diverted back to Dubai amid reported fears of a hijacking.
- Where
- FZ1073 landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; FZ1081 returned to Dubai.
- When
- Wednesday morning; FZ1073 issued its distress call at 8:44 a.m. local time.
- Why
- FZ1073 requested an emergency landing after an incident involving the pilots; the reason for FZ1081’s diversion was not specified.
Reported Passenger and Official Allegations
Confirmed Information and Uncertainty
What happened in the cockpit
Reported Passenger and Official Allegations
A passenger said she saw blood and believed the co-pilot stabbed the captain. An Israeli official also said gathered information suggested the co-pilot tried to stab the pilot and that a passenger helped restrain him.
Confirmed Information and Uncertainty
There has been no official confirmation of the alleged stabbing or the exact sequence of events. Saudi aviation officials confirmed only that both pilots were injured and hospitalized.
Hijacking fears
Reported Passenger and Official Allegations
Passenger accounts described the aircraft as briefly out of control, with screams and a sudden plunge, prompting fears of a hijacking.
Confirmed Information and Uncertainty
The available official statements described an emergency landing and injuries but did not confirm that the aircraft was hijacked.
Key facts
- Affected flights
- Flydubai flights FZ1073 and FZ1081
- Emergency airport
- Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Distress call
- FZ1073 contacted the airport at 8:44 a.m. local time
- Landing
- FZ1073 landed safely just over an hour after the airport received the distress call
- Pilot injuries
- The captain and co-pilot were hospitalized
- Passenger care
- Passengers were treated at the airport terminal
- Second diversion
- FZ1081 returned to Dubai instead of continuing to Tel Aviv
- Replacement aircraft
- The airport said it was coordinating with Flydubai to arrange replacement aircraft
Quotes
Miriam
A passenger on Flydubai flight FZ1073, identified only as Miriam
“We just heard screams, and then the cockpit door opened and we saw a huge amount of blood”
telegraphindia.com
“There were moments when all of us here were certain we weren’t going to make it out alive”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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