If you are flying from Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Thursday, 1 October 2026, the headlines are loud and the practical questions are simple: is my flight still going, and what should I do before I leave for the terminal? After flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted on Wednesday, the airline suspended services to and from Israel. Emirates has also paused its flydubai codeshare operations on that route. This guide sticks to what Gulf News, Khaleej Times and official statements have reported, and turns it into clear passenger advice for anyone using DXB today.
The UAE Attorney-General has ordered a formal investigation and has urged the public not to speculate while facts are gathered. We follow that lead here. You will find confirmed operational changes, how to check status and rebooking options, and how to allow extra time at Dubai airport — not guesswork about motives.
What Happened on FZ1073 — Confirmed Facts Only
According to Khaleej Times and Gulf News, flydubai flight FZ1073 left Dubai International Airport for Tel Aviv on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. flydubai said an altercation occurred in the flight deck. Crew members travelling on board intervened and secured the aircraft. The flight was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
flydubai stated that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for, and that it sent two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to assist them. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the security incident was brought under control. Some crew members were injured and taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia. flydubai said the underlying reasons and motives were not yet known and urged against premature speculation.
On Thursday, Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney-General of the UAE, ordered a Public Prosecution investigation team to examine the incident in coordination with the GCAA and other authorities. Gulf News and Khaleej Times both report that the Attorney-General directed investigators to establish the facts and circumstances, including whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose or involved prior planning — and that he stressed the public should rely on official sources until that work is complete. UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies the UAE flag.
Dubai Airport flydubai Suspension: What Is Cancelled
The Dubai airport flydubai suspension that matters most for travellers today is the airline’s decision to suspend flights to and from Israel after the FZ1073 incident. Gulf News’ morning roundup on 1 October lists multiple Dubai–Tel Aviv services cancelled on Thursday, including flights that also carry Emirates codeshare numbers:
- FZ1542 / EK2333 — 1:20pm
- FZ1074 / EK2121 — 2:40pm
- FZ1550 / EK2370 — 3:20pm
- FZ1636 / EK2269 — 4:05pm
- FZ1212 / EK2364 — 6:05pm
- FZ1082 / EK2449 — 8:15pm
- FZ1626 / EK2451 — 9:50pm
Emirates has suspended its flydubai codeshare operations to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. Passengers whose final destination is Tel Aviv will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin, Emirates said. Customers already en route will be accommodated and supported in completing their journeys. If your ticket shows an EK flight number but flydubai is the operating carrier on that route, treat the operating airline’s status as decisive.
Flying from Dubai Today: Delays Beyond Israel Routes
Not every delay at DXB this morning is tied to the Israel suspension. Gulf News reports cancellations and delays across several carriers and destinations, and reminds readers that some changes stem from operational or technical reasons rather than regional security alone. Examples listed for Dubai International on Thursday include cancellations on selected Emirates services (among them flights toward Peshawar, Sialkot, Kuwait, Phuket and Moscow) and a flydubai service to Abha, plus delays on several flydubai routes to Central Asia, South Asia and Europe.
SpiceJet and Air India Express also appear in the delay lists for some India services. Separately, several foreign carriers continue longer-running schedule adjustments into Dubai — for example Air France extending a Dubai suspension into late October, and Cathay Pacific cancelling Dubai passenger flights further into 2027. For the wider picture of who is coming back and when, our airlines resume Dubai flights guide remains useful once your immediate departure today is sorted.
If you are staying on in the city after a cancelled connection, October is still a strong month for outdoor attractions and events. Our Dubai in October 2026 guide covers reopenings and seasonal planning while you wait for a new seat.
What Passengers Should Do Before Leaving for DXB
Treat this as a checklist rather than a rumour feed. Schedules can change at short notice, and the cheapest mistake today is sitting in a taxi to a cancelled departure.
- Check the operating airline first. Open flydubai, Emirates or your carrier’s app and website for the exact flight number on your ticket. For codeshares, the operating airline’s page is the one that matters.
- Read SMS and email alerts. Airlines push last-minute gate, delay and cancellation notices there first. Do not rely only on a third-party tracker.
- Confirm terminal and check-in cut-off. flydubai says its check-in counters close 60 minutes before scheduled departure unless you receive different instructions by SMS or email. Build buffer on top of that on a disruption day.
- Allow extra time at Dubai airport. Expect longer queues at check-in, security and immigration when many passengers are rebooking at once. Arrive earlier than you would on a quiet Tuesday.
- Do not travel for a cancelled flight unless the airline has told you to collect documents, bags or rebooking help in person.
- Keep booking references handy. Screenshot your PNR, e-ticket and any rebooking offer before you lose signal in the car park or Metro tunnel.
Codeshares, Rebooking and Refunds
Codeshare tickets are where confusion multiplies. An Emirates flight number operated by flydubai to Tel Aviv sits under the suspension Emirates announced for those codeshares. Contact the airline that sold you the ticket for rebooking or refund rules, but always cross-check the operating carrier’s live status before you set off. Gulf News advises passengers whose flights are cancelled to contact the airline or travel agent about rebooking or refunds rather than improvising at the airport without a confirmed seat.
If you hold a connecting itinerary that ends in Tel Aviv, Emirates has said passengers with that final destination will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin while the suspension holds. If you are already mid-journey, the airline says it will support you in completing travel. Ask for written confirmation of any new routing, hotel or meal voucher before you leave the counter.
For orientation around terminals, Metro access and the basics of navigating DXB on a normal day — which still helps when the day is not normal — see our longer explainer, Dubai International Airport: the gateway to the world.
Extra Time at DXB: Practical Tips for Today
Disruption days reward boring preparation. Charge your phone overnight, download your boarding pass offline if online check-in is open, and pack liquids and electronics so security trays move quickly. If you are travelling with children or need assistance, request it through the airline app before you arrive rather than discovering the desk queue at the last minute.
Road approaches to DXB can clog when several banks of flights slip at once. The Dubai Metro Red Line remains a steady option into Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Give yourself a spare train and a spare security cycle. If your hotel offers a late checkout or day-use room after a long delay, book it before the inventory vanishes — especially if your rebooking lands late tonight or tomorrow morning.
- Food and water: airside options stay busy when banks bunch; eat before a long delay if you have time landside.
- Bags: if you are rebooked overnight, ask whether checked bags are pulled and where to reclaim them.
- Visas and transit: a same-day rebooking can change your transit rules; confirm with the airline before you accept a new connection city.
- Insurance: photograph delay notices and keep receipts if your policy covers disruption expenses.
What Is Not Confirmed — And Why That Matters
Social feeds move faster than investigations. The Attorney-General has explicitly asked the public to refrain from speculation, unverified information and premature conclusions. Newspapers have reported that investigators will examine circumstances and motives, including whether any terrorist purpose or prior planning was involved. That is the scope of the inquiry, not a finding. Until official sources publish conclusions, treat crew names, nationalities and motive theories circulating online as unverified.
For passengers, the useful distinction is operational versus investigative. Operations — Israel flights suspended, codeshares paused, specific DXB cancellations and delays — are what change your day. The investigation will take the time it takes. Plan travel on the first; leave the second to the authorities.
Conclusion
Flying from Dubai today means starting with the airline app, not the rumour mill. flydubai has suspended Israel flights after the FZ1073 diversion to Tabuk; Emirates has suspended related flydubai codeshares; and DXB is also carrying other cancellations and delays that may have nothing to do with that route. Check status, allow extra time at Dubai airport, and contact the airline or agent promptly if your flight is cancelled. Rely on Gulf News, Khaleej Times and official airline notices for updates, and leave conclusions about the incident itself to the Attorney-General’s investigation with the GCAA.
FAQ
Is flydubai still flying to Tel Aviv today?
No. Gulf News reports that flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel after the FZ1073 incident, with multiple Dubai–Tel Aviv services cancelled on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
What about Emirates tickets to Tel Aviv?
Emirates has suspended its flydubai codeshare operations to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. Passengers whose final destination is Tel Aviv will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin.
Were passengers on FZ1073 hurt?
flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for. The GCAA said some crew members were injured and taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia.
How early should I arrive at DXB today?
Arrive earlier than usual. flydubai’s check-in counters normally close 60 minutes before departure unless you are told otherwise. On a disruption day, add buffer for queues and last-minute gate changes.
Should I speculate about why the altercation happened?
No. The UAE Attorney-General has urged the public to avoid speculation and to rely on official sources while the investigation continues with the GCAA.
Key Takeaways
- flydubai flight FZ1073 diverted safely to Tabuk after an altercation in the flight deck; passengers and crew were accounted for.
- The Dubai airport flydubai suspension covers flights to and from Israel; Emirates has paused flydubai Tel Aviv codeshares until further notice.
- DXB also shows other cancellations and delays on 1 October that may be unrelated — always check your exact flight.
- Check the operating airline, allow extra time at Dubai airport, and do not travel for a cancelled flight unless instructed.
- The UAE Attorney-General has ordered an investigation with the GCAA and asked the public not to speculate ahead of official findings.
Useful Links
- Gulf News: flying from the UAE today — Israel flights suspended, cancellations and delays (1 October 2026)
- Gulf News: UAE Attorney-General orders investigation into flydubai flight incident
- Khaleej Times: Attorney-General forms team to investigate flydubai altercation
- flydubai — official site and flight status
- Emirates — official site and flight status
- Dubai Airports — DXB passenger information
- Airlines resume Dubai flights — who is returning and when
- Dubai in October 2026 — reopenings and seasonal planning
- Dubai International Airport visitor guide
