Meanwhile, passengers stranded at Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Airport began boarding a replacement Flydubai aircraft for Israel, with arrival scheduled for 18:00. Most are Israeli. Some refused to board, leaving their return unresolved, N12 reported. Saudi Arabia refused permission for an Israeli military evacuation flight to land.
The original flight, FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted to Tabuk after a cockpit incident that Israeli authorities are investigating as a suspected terrorist attack. Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain before passengers and crew subdued him. Both pilots were hospitalized, and all passengers were safe and accounted for. The motive remains under investigation.