A second aircraft has been sent by Flydubai from Dubai to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, to collect passengers from Flydubai flight FZ1073 and transport them to Tel Aviv.
According to Flightradar24, replacement flight FZ8455 departed Dubai shortly before 12:56pm local time and was expected to arrive in Tabuk in the afternoon. The onward flight to Israel is expected to proceed once the necessary permits have been secured.
Passengers remain safe in Tabuk
The passengers from FZ1073 remain safe in Tabuk, while the original Boeing 737 MAX 8 remains grounded at the airport.
The flight had diverted to Tabuk after an incident on board while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft transmitted emergency and hijack-related transponder codes before landing safely in Saudi Arabia.
🚨 BREAKING: A pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the other pilot and attempted to seize control of the aircraft in terror attack.
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) September 30, 2026
The plane, carrying 174 Israeli passengers, plunged 14,000 feet before the situation was brought under control and… pic.twitter.com/FAgyt7dOpK
Flydubai has not confirmed cockpit reports
Flydubai’s official position remains that an “in-flight incident” occurred, that the aircraft landed safely and that the airline’s teams are cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The airline has not confirmed reports of a confrontation between the pilots, the use of a knife or an alleged attempt to deliberately crash the aircraft.
Israeli authorities have reported that both pilots were injured and that the incident is being investigated. Reuters reported that around 150 Israeli passengers were on board and that all were unharmed.
One of the passengers from Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv confirms the passengers have overpowered the hijacker.
— Maccabee Task Force (@MacTaskForce) September 30, 2026
According to reports, the hijacker one of the pilots. He stabbed his co-pilot with the intention of crashing the plane into the ground. pic.twitter.com/ntmB90x0GQ
Investigation into incident continues
Passenger accounts reported by international and Israeli media have described a serious confrontation in the cockpit, including claims that a pilot was injured with a knife. These accounts have not been independently confirmed by Flydubai or Saudi authorities.
Israeli officials have also been examining possible scenarios surrounding the incident, while the investigation remains ongoing.
The moment @flydubai flights Landed in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/iYv1MJSV6a
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) September 30, 2026
#BREAKING
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) September 30, 2026
🚨 Cockpit video is now out
Shows a bloody altercation, with one of the pilots seen soaked in blood
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after what authorities described as a “violent incident” between two pilots
The aircraft… pic.twitter.com/p3eIQ58Ndw
Also read: Flydubai pilot stabbed as passengers tackle attacker
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