Flydubai flight lands safely in Tabuk after distress call; pilots injured

A flydubai flight made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday after issuing a distress call, with the captain and co-pilot taken to hospital with injuries.

Airport operator Cluster2 Airports said the air traffic control centre received a distress call from flight FZ1073 at 8.44am on September 30. The aircraft requested permission to make an emergency landing.

Airport authorities declared an emergency and mobilised assistance for the aircraft, which landed safely at 9.45am local time.

The captain and co-pilot were found to have sustained injuries and were transferred to hospital for medical treatment, the statement said.

Passengers received the necessary assistance in the terminal. Officials were also coordinating with flydubai to arrange a replacement aircraft.

The airport said it remained committed to the regulations and instructions issued by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, as well as international agreements covering aviation safety and the protection of passengers and crew.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.