Two Maldivian pilots who were held in the United Arab Emirates in connection with an incident involving a Flydubai flight have returned to the Maldives, with police confirming they have started gathering information from them.
The pilots arrived in the country this morning after being released and sent back by UAE authorities. Maldives Police Service said the men were not under arrest but that officers were collecting information related to the matter. Police stated that any decision on further action would be made once the necessary details had been clarified.
The incident dates to 30 September, when a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai towards Israel was reportedly the subject of an attempt by the co-pilot to divert the aircraft. The flight, carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, was diverted to a Saudi Arabian airport. UAE authorities later detained the two Maldivian pilots, who worked for Flydubai and shared accommodation with an Omani co-pilot also involved in the case.
The Maldivian embassy in the UAE was informed of the detention on 8 October. Multiple local outlets reported today that the pilots had been released and returned, with police beginning their inquiries upon arrival.
Police have not released further details on the nature of the questioning or the current status of the investigation. The case has drawn attention given the involvement of Maldivian aviation professionals in an incident outside the country.
Authorities in the Maldives have not issued a broader statement on the pilots’ return beyond confirming the ongoing information-gathering process.