UAE Labels Flydubai Incident as ‘Terrorist Act’

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the UAE has labeled the incident that occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv as a “terrorist act.” Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, praised the pilot’s response during the emergency situation.

Gargash, writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stated, “Captain Smith Macher, of Indian nationality, deserves all our appreciation. He is a true hero. He demonstrated the true meaning of courage and responsibility when faced with a serious terrorist act and a potential catastrophe.”

The Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was granted permission for an emergency landing on Wednesday at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai had previously announced that “an altercation occurred in the cockpit” and that the crew had secured the aircraft before it diverted to Saudi Arabia. Airport officials reported that the pilot and co-pilot were injured during the incident and were transported to the hospital.