Flydubai CEO Commends Crew and Passengers Following Emergency Diversion to Saudi Arabia

Flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith has praised the crew and pilots on flight FZ1073 for securing and landing the aircraft safely, while also thanking passengers who assisted during a tense mid-air emergency. Making his first public remarks since an altercation on the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight forced a diversion to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Mr Al Ghaith expressed relief that all 172 passengers and crew members were safe and receiving proper care and support.

He also confirmed that the captain, Smit Machchhar, had returned to the UAE after obtaining medical clearance. Expressing deep gratitude, Mr Al Ghaith stated, "I want to express my deep gratitude to our crew, our captain, and the pilots who secured the aircraft and landed it safely. I extend our sincere gratitude to the passengers on board who assisted our crew during a challenging situation."

Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport before diverting over Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia, transmitting two emergency signals along the way. Data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that the aircraft descended rapidly prior to landing at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia. Mr Al Ghaith acknowledged Saudi Arabia for its prompt response and thanked UAE authorities for aiding the return of customers and crew.

Addressing the ongoing inquiries, Mr Al Ghaith noted that a comprehensive official investigation led by relevant authorities and supported by flydubai is currently under way. In response to the incident, flydubai announced the suspension of operations to Tel Aviv until further notice at the request of authorities, while Emirates airline has also suspended its codeshare operations with flydubai between the UAE and Tel Aviv.

Hamad Al Shamsi, the UAE's Attorney General, has ordered an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the motives involved, and whether any connection to terrorism exists. Concluding his remarks, Mr Al Ghaith reaffirmed the airline's unwavering commitment to aviation safety, stating that it remains their highest priority.