Saudi Arabia Issues New Statement on Flydubai Incident: Both Pilots Sent to Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has released the initial official findings of its investigation into the incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to the ministry, preliminary inquiries indicate that the first officer attacked the captain, and both pilots were injured. The investigation is being conducted with the participation of a security team from the United Arab Emirates.

According to the statement, the captain and first officer, who had been hospitalized in Tabuk, were cleared to fly by doctors once their condition allowed them to travel. On the morning of Thursday, October 1, the two pilots left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi, escorted by the Emirati security team.