Saudi Interior Ministry Statement on FlyDubai Plane's Emergency Landing in Tabuk

The Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed that the Kingdom deals with emergency situations in accordance with its international and humanitarian obligations, following the emergency landing of a "FlyDubai" plane at Tabuk Airport.

A responsible source at the Saudi Interior Ministry clarified that the competent authorities in the Kingdom initiated the necessary procedures to deal with the situation of the plane that declared an emergency during a "FlyDubai" flight and granted it permission for an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the city of Tabuk on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The source indicated that preliminary investigations conducted by the competent authorities in the Kingdom, with the participation of a security team from the sister United Arab Emirates, pointed to a altercation between the pilot and his co-pilot, resulting in various injuries to both.

The source confirmed that the pilot and his co-pilot, after their health improved and they were cleared by the medical team, left the Kingdom heading to Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, accompanied by the Emirati security team.

The responsible source affirmed that the Kingdom deals with emergency cases in accordance with its international and humanitarian obligations, and as stipulated by the systems and regulations adopted by the relevant authorities, to ensure the safety and security of air navigation and the readiness of the aviation and security systems in the Kingdom and their ability to respond quickly and effectively to exceptional cases.

Reports indicated that Saudi authorities initially refused to grant the plane permission to land and directed it towards Jordan, where it was asked to wait for approval from the Jordanian army, which also refused its landing. The pilot then returned to Saudi airspace and insisted on the necessity of landing in Tabuk, without air traffic control agencies providing any explanation for the initial refusal.

In its official statement, "FlyDubai" airline confirmed that a fight occurred in the cockpit of the flight bound for Tel Aviv, and that members of its crew managed to take control of the plane, divert its course, and land safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.