This update focuses on Royal Air Maroc Flydubai copilot. Royal Air Maroc has publicly clarified its limited connection to the co-pilot involved in the recent Flydubai incident, a point that matters to many Moroccans abroad who rely on the national carrier for trips to and from Morocco.
Royal Air Maroc Flydubai copilot: training only, no employment
In a statement issued on 3 October, Royal Air Maroc said the Flydubai co-pilot at the center of the case has never been an employee of the company.
According to the airline, the co-pilot attended a three‑month theoretical training course in 2025 within Royal Air Maroc. This course was described as a preliminary step before any potential hiring, and his application was not retained at the end of the process.
The company is responding to media reports suggesting that the co-pilot had previously worked for Royal Air Maroc. The clarification stresses that there was never an employment contract between RAM and the Flydubai co-pilot.
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073
The clarification comes after a serious incident on 30 September aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and tried to take control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed without further incident. An investigation is underway on the Emirati side.
As the case gained media attention, Royal Air Maroc’s name appeared in some reports, prompting the airline to explain the limited scope of the training the co-pilot followed in 2025.
What this means for Moroccans living abroad
For Moroccans living abroad, the Royal Air Maroc Flydubai copilot story mainly raises questions of trust and perception regarding flight safety.
At this stage, there is no indication that current safety procedures at Royal Air Maroc are affected, nor that flights to and from Morocco are disrupted. The company is essentially confirming that it was not the co-pilot’s employer.
In practical terms, for Moroccans abroad booking tickets to return home, this clarification does not change day‑to‑day travel arrangements:
- Royal Air Maroc flights are operating normally, according to published schedules.
- The incident involves a Flydubai service operated by another airline.
- The statement mainly aims to clear up confusion about the co-pilot’s professional background.
To keep track of any future safety updates, operational changes or official instructions, travellers can consult the airline’s official website: https://www.royalairmaroc.com/ma-fr.
Moroccans abroad are also advised, as with any trip, to check flight times, change and cancellation conditions, as well as safety information provided by the airline with which they book.
In the end, the Royal Air Maroc Flydubai copilot communication mainly addresses image and transparency concerns and has no direct operational impact on the mobility of Moroccans around the world.
For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.
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