FlyDubai has grounded all flights to Tel Aviv following a cockpit emergency that forced a Dubai-bound jet into a dramatic plunge over Saudi Arabia. The airline's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, has spoken out after the incident on September 30.
Emergency diversion and plunge
Flight FZ1073 was forced to execute an emergency diversion to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday (September 30). The Boeing MAX 8 aircraft plunged 14,300 feet in just 30 seconds over northern Saudi Arabia after a mid-air crisis unfolded inside the flight deck.
According to reports, the drama erupted after Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed during the incident. The injured pilot, an Indian national who previously flew for SpiceJet, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing two off-duty FlyDubai commanders travelling as passengers to step in and seize control of the aircraft.
Survival and CEO response
All 172 passengers and crew members on board survived the ordeal and have since received full support. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith confirmed the captain has since returned to the UAE after receiving medical clearance.
Praising the efforts of those on board, Al Ghaith said: "I would like to commend the professionalism and dedication shown by our Captain, and the pilots who secured the aircraft and landed it safely as well as the cabin crew. My deepest thanks also go to the passengers on board who assisted our crew during a challenging situation."
Flight suspensions and investigation
Following a direct request from aviation authorities, the airline has halted all services to Israel until further notice. A spokesperson confirmed ground teams are currently working to assist stranded passengers and rebook them onto alternative routes to reach their final destinations.
Al Ghaith expressed his gratitude to Saudi and UAE authorities for their swift response during the crisis, while calling for patience as aviation investigators piece together the timeline of events.
"I know there are many questions about what happened on board FZ1073," the CEO added. "A full official investigation, led by the relevant authorities and fully supported by flydubai, is underway. It is important that we allow this process to establish the facts."
