Flydubai Co-Pilot Assaults Captain, Both Transferred to Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced that a Flydubai aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk after the co-pilot assaulted the captain, injuring both. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, and both pilots were taken to a hospital for treatment. Upon medical clearance, they were transferred to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, accompanied by a UAE security team. Preliminary investigations by Saudi authorities, in coordination with UAE security, confirmed the altercation in the cockpit. The emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport was authorized after an inflight emergency was declared. The aircraft landed safely with 174 passengers and an eight-member crew, all of whom were provided with necessary care. Passengers continued their journey on a replacement Flydubai aircraft, while the original flight crew returned to Dubai on a separate flight. The Saudi Interior Ministry emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to civil aviation safety and its readiness to handle emergencies effectively.