Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to follow up on the condition of passengers aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a security incident.

The Emirates News Agency reported that Sheikh Abdullah was reassured about the safety of passengers on the flydubai flight from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport, which encountered “a security incident that was brought under control”. He wished them well and conveyed his regards to their families. The two ministers also discussed bilateral relations, ways to strengthen them and regional developments.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Sa’ar briefed Sheikh Abdullah on the return of the Israeli passengers during what it described as a “warm” conversation. According to the ministry, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening relations at all levels and cooperating against “extremist elements seeking to undermine security and destabilise the region”.

The call followed an incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit and a sharp loss of altitude. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said several crew members were injured and taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. Flydubai said the cause and motive behind the incident had yet to be fully established and cautioned against speculation before the investigation was completed.

Israeli officials said the co-pilot attempted to crash the aircraft after attacking the pilot, but passengers, assisted by other pilots on board, restrained him. Saudi authorities detained the suspect. However, the motive remains unclear, and flydubai has not confirmed claims that the incident was a “terrorist attack”.

The aircraft was carrying 172 passengers, 169 of whom were Israeli citizens. Following the emergency landing, flydubai sent another aircraft to Tabuk to transport the passengers to Ben Gurion Airport. All passengers arrived safely at their destination.