FlyDubai Captain, Co-pilot Leave Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi as 174-Passenger Attack Probe Widens
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 1
FlyDubai Captain, Co-pilot Leave Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi as 174-Passenger Attack Probe Widens
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 1
Summary
Saudi Arabia said the FlyDubai captain and co-pilot left Tabuk for Abu Dhabi with a UAE security team after both were hospitalized and then cleared to travel.
The ministry said the plane landed safely in Tabuk at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday with 174 passengers and eight crew aboard, and passengers later continued on a replacement flight at 5:40 p.m.
Saudi officials described the episode only as an "altercation," while not addressing Israeli allegations that the Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Israeli and UAE authorities are still examining possible Islamist or Iranian links; Netanyahu said the suspect appeared radicalized but it was too early to confirm outside backing.
The attack has already prompted FlyDubai to suspend Israel service and renewed calls for tougher cockpit screening, mental-health checks and pilot background reviews.