TABUK — Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk announced that all passengers aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which made an emergency landing at the airport this morning, departed for their final destination aboard a replacement aircraft, which took off at 5:40 pm on Wednesday.
The air traffic control center received a distress call from the Flydubai flight requesting an emergency landing at the airport at 8:44 am local time on Wednesday, Sept.30. The airport explained that an emergency was declared and all necessary preparations were made to provide assistance to the aircraft, which landed safely at 9:45 am local time.
It was found that both the captain and the co-pilot had sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital for necessary medical treatment. The passengers received the necessary care at the terminal, while coordination was carried out with the airline to arrange a replacement aircraft.
The airport affirmed its commitment to the regulations and instructions issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in accordance with international treaties and agreements concerning the safety of air navigation, passengers, and cabin crew. It noted that the necessary investigations are currently underway by the competent authorities.
Meanwhile, Flydubai said in a statement that the plane was “successfully secured” by on-duty crew travelling on the flight who “diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport”. The motives behind the attack remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation, the airline said.
Source: Saudi Gazette