Emirati airline Flydubai has announced a temporary suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, effective immediately. The decision follows a serious safety incident that occurred on board Flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Incident
During its scheduled journey, Flight FZ1073 experienced a critical incident within the flight deck, compelling the crew to divert the Boeing aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith confirmed that all 172 passengers and crew members on board landed safely at Tabuk, where Saudi authorities provided assistance.
The airline's captain required medical attention after the incident but was later cleared and returned to the United Arab Emirates. While Flydubai has not disclosed specific details about the nature of the incident, citing an ongoing official investigation, it emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority.
Operations Suspended at Authorities' Request
The suspension of the Tel Aviv route was implemented at the request of authorities and will remain in place until further notice. CEO Al Ghaith stated that Flydubai is actively collaborating with investigators to establish the full facts surrounding the event and is providing support for the official inquiry.
Flydubai is also assisting passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by the suspension, helping them to reach their final destinations. The airline expressed gratitude to Saudi authorities for their rapid response at Tabuk, as well as to UAE officials and other agencies involved in ensuring the safe return of passengers and crew.
The incident has prompted a review by authorities into potential security or operational protocol breaches, with Flydubai pledging full cooperation throughout the investigation process.