Dubai: Flydubai denied on Wednesday rumous about an attempted hijacking of one of its aircraft flying from Dubai to Kabul.
The low-cost carrier said it was aware of reports circulating on social media about an attempted hijack, and confirmed they were untrue.
Flydubai said, however, there was an incident onboard its flight to Kabul involving a “disruptive passenger” but that it was not a hijack incident.
The incident reportedly happened over Iranian airspace, and the flight returned back to Dubai as a result.
“[Flight] FZ301 from Dubai to Kabul returned to Dubai as there was a disruptive passenger onboard. The disruptive passenger was met by the relevant authorities on the aircraft’s arrival,” a spokesperson told Gulf News via email.
“Passengers resumed their flight, which departed Dubai International at 8.31am. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) also denied that there was a hijack attempt.
State news agency WAM cited the GCAA as saying the incident happened “as a result of a behaviour of one of the passengers,” who was detained by authorities upon landing in Dubai.
Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the incident took place on the plane following which a passenger was detained by authorities in Dubai upon landing the airport.
Reports on social media said that a flydubai aircraft was en route to Kabul when a male passenger attempted to hijack the flight.
Online reports claimed that the passenger was using a knife and attempted to enter the cockpit and threaten crew but could not do so as the door was locked.
Online reports also said the passenger was then subdued by cabin crew who managed to lock him in a lavatory, and that the flight continued to Kabul.
It is unclear where the reports originated from.
