Ikram Kouachi and Mohammad Sio
01 October 2026•Update: 01 October 2026
The United Arab Emirates said Thursday that an investigation into the Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai incident will examine whether the cockpit altercation was linked to “terrorist activity” or involved prior planning or direction.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the formation of a team of specialized public prosecutors to investigate, determine its circumstances and causes, and establish the facts surrounding the incident.
It said the investigation was launched in light of Flydubai’s announcement that an altercation occurred in the cockpit during the flight, requiring members of the crew to intervene and secure it.
The investigation will examine all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident “including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction,” it said.
UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident under applicable legislation because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, the official WAM news agency reported.
Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed aboard the aircraft even when they occur outside the country’s territory, it added.
The Foreign Ministry also expressed the UAE’s thanks and appreciation to Saudi Arabian authorities for their cooperation and handling of the incident.
Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing Wednesday at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the northwestern Saudi city of Tabuk after an altercation was reported in the cockpit.
Flydubai said “an altercation occurred in the flight deck,” adding that crew members secured the plane and diverted it safely to Saudi Arabia.
Airport officials said the captain and first officer were injured and taken to a hospital following the incident. All passengers and crew were reported safe and accounted for.
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center later said its safety investigation team had begun work on the incident and was coordinating with authorities to determine the circumstances, examine aviation safety aspects and collect related information and evidence.
The airport said the passengers later departed Tabuk aboard an alternative aircraft provided by Flydubai.
