flydubai statements relating to FZ 981
Statement 1 - Saturday 19 March 2016
We are aware of an incident involving our flight FZ 981 from Dubai to Rostov-On-Don.
We are investigating further details and will publish an update once more information is available.
Statement 2 - Saturday 19 March 2016
flydubai regrets to confirm that flight FZ 981 crashed on landing and that fatalities have been confirmed as a result of this tragic accident.
The aircraft departed from Dubai International (DXB) at 18:20 GMT bound for Rostov on Don (ROV). The accident occurred in Rostov on Don at approximately 00:50 GMT.
We are doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible. At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our passengers and our crew who were on board the aircraft. We will do everything we can to help those who have been affected by this accident.
We are putting our emergency response in place and we will be working closely with all the authorities involved. We will share as much information as possible just as soon as we can and we will provide updated information on a regular basis.
For any concerned friends or family: +44 203 4508 853 or +971 4293 4100.
For media enquiries: +1 407 205 1813
For media enquiries (Arabic Only): +971 52 517 4642
Statement 3 - Saturday 19 March 2016
flydubai is deeply sorry to confirm the following information in relation to the tragic accident involving flight FZ 981 which was flying from Dubai International (DXB) to Rostov on Don (ROV).
While we are still awaiting final confirmation, it is with great sadness that we report we believe there are no survivors. We are unable to provide more specific details at this moment but we will provide updates as soon as we possibly can.
At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our passengers and crew who were on board the aircraft. We are working with the local emergency services and other agencies who are at the scene.
flydubai is in the process of verifying the passenger list however preliminary numbers indicate 55 passengers and 7 crew on board on the Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The aircraft had departed Dubai International (DXB) at 18.20GMT on Friday 18 March and was due to arrive that evening at 22.40GMT.
Speaking about the incident, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith, said, “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the passengers and crew. Everyone at flydubai is in deep shock and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those involved. We don’t yet know all the details of the accident but we are working closely with the authorities to establish the cause. We are making every effort to care for those affected and will provide assistance to the loved ones of those on board.”
flydubai is activating family reception centres for relatives of passengers and we have issued the following numbers for relatives to call:
+44 203 450 8853 (UK)
+971 (0) 42934100 (UAE)
In addition we have set up a media call centre that can be contacted on the following number:
+1 407 205 1813
+971 55 517 4642 (Arabic language)
An update will be issued as soon as more information becomes available.
Statement 4 - Saturday 19 March 2016
Following our earlier statements more information is now available relating to flydubai flight FZ 981.
flydubai very much regrets to confirm that the accident involving flight number FZ 981 at Rostov-on-Don earlier today has resulted in 55 passenger fatalities including 33 women, 18 men and 4 children. The nationalities of the deceased passengers include 44 Russians, 8 Ukrainians, 2 Indians and 1 Uzbekistani.
We are currently contacting relatives of the passengers and crew who were on board and we are offering any help we can to those affected.
Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith, with the support of the full management team, is leading our response to the accident. At this stage the focus of our efforts is on establishing the facts around the incident and providing all possible support to the authorities.
Our emergency response team are now en-route to Rostov-on-Don.
The aircraft involved was a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800.
Statement 5 - Saturday 19 March 2016
Video Statement by flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith regarding FZ981 from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don
Statement 6 - Saturday 19 March 2016
Statement from our CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith
On behalf of everyone at flydubai, I would like to express the devastation we all feel in relation to this morning’s tragic events in Rostov-on-Don.
Our primary concern is for the passengers and crew involved at this tragic time. Everyone in our company is in deep shock and our hearts go out to all loved ones of those involved.
We are still in the process of gathering all the information we possibly can, but at this stage I will share the facts that we are able to confirm now. At 00.50GMT today flydubai flight FZ 981 crashed at Rostov-on-Don and I am very sorry to say that we believe that there are no survivors. Onboard the aircraft, 55 passengers including 33 women, 18 men and 4 children and 7 crew members of whom 5 were male and 2 were female. The nationalities of the passengers included 44 Russians, 8 Ukrainians, 2 Indians and 1 Uzbekistani.
I am personally leading our accident response with the support of the full management team. At this stage the focus of our efforts is on establishing the facts around the incident and providing all possible support to the authorities.
As I speak members of our team are contacting relatives of the passengers and crew who were on board and we are offering any help we can to those affected.
In addition, we have activated our Emergency Response Team who are on their way now to the site.
We do not yet know all the details of the incident but we are working closely with the authorities to establish precisely what happened. We are making every effort to care for those affected and will provide assistance to the families and friends of those who were on board.
Finally, I would like to say once more how deeply we feel for those affected by this tragedy.
Statement 7 - Saturday 19 March 2016
Fact sheets
Statement 8 - Saturday 19 March 2016
We are aware of the reports that are circulating in relation to the black box flight recorders.
We can confirm that both black box flight recorders have been recovered from the crash site by the local accident investigation team and we continue to do all we can to assist their work.
Statement 9 - Saturday 19 March 2016
Our priority is the extension of all possible care and respect to the families of the passengers and crew of flight FZ 981.
We are currently in the process of contacting all families that have lost loved ones as a result of this tragic accident. It is a process that will take a little time but as a mark of respect to the families of the bereaved, we want to make every effort to inform them directly prior to releasing the full passenger manifest.
Statement 10 - Sunday 20 March 2016
At present, our priority is to identify and contact the families of those lost in today’s tragic accident and provide immediate support to those affected.
flydubai will additionally organise a programme of hardship payments to the families amounting to USD 20,000 per passenger, in accordance with our Conditions of Carriage, with the aim of addressing immediate financial needs.
Statement 11 - Sunday 20 March 2016
Statement from our CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith
In the immediate aftermath of the accident we have been focusing on two key priorities; care for all those who have been affected by the accident and support for the investigating authorities as they work to identify the cause.
To begin with, we are working to establish how we can most effectively provide care and support to the families of the 55 passengers and 7 crew members who lost their lives. We now have our own specially trained Care Teams both on the ground in Rostov-on-Don and in Dubai. We are making arrangements for the families who wish to visit the scene of the accident, to do so. We would ask that at such a sensitive time all the families be given the space they need to grieve.
Throughout yesterday, efforts were also made to contact as many family members as possible and those efforts are continuing. As we mentioned yesterday we are not going to release the names of passengers until we know their families have been told first.
As far as the investigation is concerned, we have specialists from our engineering, safety and security departments on the ground at the crash site. They will be working with the authorised authorities to help them identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible. They are there to provide expertise and any information the air accident investigators might need.
I am personally leading the airline's response and, along with our senior airline management, receiving regular updates from the Emergency Response Team on the ground.
We are aware that in the course of the past 24 hours there has been a great deal of speculation as to the cause of this tragedy. We share the desire to get answers as quickly as possible but at this stage we must not be drawn into speculation. We would ask that the investigating authorities are given the time and space they need to report definitively on the causes of the accident.
Statement 12 - Sunday 20 March 2016
We have been made aware of some difficulties being faced connecting to family assistance lines.
We have been working to resolve this and have updated the numbers as follows:
Emergency call centre
From outside Russia:
+44 20 3450 8853 or +971 4 293 4100
From within Russia (toll free):
8 800 333 42 12
Media enquiries
From outside Russia:
+1 407 205 1813
From within Russia:
810 1 407 205 1813
Statement 13 - Monday 21 March 2016
Confirmation of opening of Family Assistance Centre
flydubai confirms that the Family Assistance Centre in relation to flight FZ 981 has now opened in Rostov-on-Don.
The Family Assistance Centre will offer support and information to bereaved families, including details of financial assistance. flydubai’s Family Assistance Team are already in touch with the families to confirm that the Centre has opened and will operate between 9am and 9pm until further notice.
Families can seek further assistance using the emergency numbers below:
From outside of Russia:
+44 20 3450 8853 or +971 4 293 4100
From inside of Russia (toll free):
8 800 333 42 12
Statement 14 - Tuesday 22 March 2016
flydubai with great sadness confirms flight manifest for FZ 981
flydubai confirms, with great sadness, the 62 fatalities as a result of the tragic accident of flight FZ 981.
This confirmation is made after contacting each family member. flydubai confirms the names of those who sadly lost their lives on Saturday 19 March 2016. The manifest can be viewed here.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: “flydubai would like to express once again its deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. The families of all those who have been affected by flight FZ 981 remain our top priority. We would also like to express our gratitude for the work of the Russian officials, local authorities, emergency services and volunteers in difficult conditions in the aftermath of the accident and we continue to offer our support to them.”
flydubai has opened its Family Assistance Centre in Rostov-on-Don to provide support and information to bereaved families.
We would like to ask that the families and friends of those affected by this sad event are given the time and space they need to grieve.
Relatives are invited to call the numbers below for further information or visit the Family Assistance Centre which has been established in Rostov-on-Don.
From inside Russia (toll free):
8 800 333 42 12
From outside Russia:
+44 20 3450 8853 or +971 4 293 4100
flydubai will continue to issue further updates as more information becomes available.
Statement 15 - Wednesday 23 March 2016
As a mark of respect, flydubai confirms it has retired flight number FZ981.
The flight from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don operated on 22 March as flight number FZ935 and will continue to operate as per the current schedule.
Statement 16 - Thursday 24 March 2019
The Family Assistance Centre in Rostov-On-Don is being moved to a new location on Saturday 26 March.
We have taken this decision with the changing needs of the families in mind, whose welfare is our primary concern. The new location will offer more comfortable facilities for the family members using the facilities. The centre will continue to be open daily from 9am to 9pm.
Statement 17 - Wednesday 30 March 2016
We have updated the number you can reach us on for media enquiries.
From outside of the United Arab Emirates, please dial: +971 600 520 050
From inside of the United Arab Emirates, please dial: 600 520 050
Alternatively, you can send an email to news@flydubai.com.
Statement 18 - Friday 8 April 2016
We are aware of the information that has been released by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC).
We share the desire to get conclusive findings as quickly as possible as outlined by the International Standards And Recommended Practices in International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Annex 13. We continue to support the investigating authorities in liaison with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Statement 19 - Monday 18 April 2016
Reflecting on the one-month anniversary since the tragic loss of flight FZ 981 flydubai will launch its memorial website withgreatsadness.com on 19 April 2016.
The website commemorates the memory of the passengers and crew of flight FZ 981 and collects the thoughts and photographs of those who wish to express their condolences following the tragic accident.
Ahead of the one-month anniversary tomorrow, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai, said; “Saturday 19 March brought news you hope never to hear. My daily thoughts remain with the families and loved ones enduring a period of great sadness and sorrow. We are focused on supporting the bereaved families and we continue to do everything we can for them.”
flydubai’s focus over this last month has been the mobilisation of its Family Assistance Team and the ongoing support to the investigating authorities.
Within 30 minutes of being alerted to the accident, flydubai’s Crisis Centre in Dubai mobilised its Emergency Response team and, later that day, they left for Rostov-on-Don. This initial team included both technical and humanitarian specialists working alongside the Russian Emergency Services to assist in their relief efforts and opened the Family Assistance Centre in Rostov-On-Don.
In the first week following the accident the Family Assistance Team was established to communicate directly with bereaved families and address their very individual needs on a longer term basis. As part of the long term Family Assistance each family has a dedicated Care Team member. flydubai’s Family Assistance Team will continue their work for as long as necessary which includes identification, repatriation and the support required for personal effects. flydubai also launched a website which is a source of information for the families.
Commenting on flydubai’s Family Assistance Team, Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “We are here to support whenever required and at a time deemed appropriate by those in need. It is important to recognise that every family and each circumstance is different and we remain respectful of that. All our staff join me in standing united in our grief as our hearts go out to all the families.”
flydubai will continue to work alongside the investigating authorities in their continued efforts to identify the cause of the accident and its support to the families will continue for as long as necessary.
Statement 20 - Wednesday 20 April 2016
flydubai statement on Interim Report (Preliminary Reference Information) on Accident Investigation by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC)
flydubai welcomes the publication today of the Interim Report (Preliminary Reference Information) on Accident Investigation by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC).
We would also like to thank the investigating authorities for their continued commitment to investigate this tragic accident.
With regard to the five initial flight safety recommendations flydubai has, as part of the ongoing communications within our emergency response plan, continued to update our crew and engineers with the information published by the IAC.
With regard to the recommendations 2 and 3, these same procedures for go-around and flight simulator training have been in place since the airline was launched in 2009 and form part of standard operating procedures in line with industry best-practice.
In relation to the fourth and fifth recommendation, as standard practice we review safety recommendations in the industry.
flydubai is audited by the regulator and meets the highest safety, operating and training standards.
Statement 21 - Monday 27 June 2016
Over the last few weeks the remains of those who tragically lost their lives on FZ 981 were returned home. After consultation with the Russian Authorities, the Family Assistance Centre in Rostov-on-Don remains open on an appointment basis. Our Long Term Family Assistance Team, based in Dubai, will remain available to all families for as long as they require.
Statement 22 - Monday 19 September 2016
Today marks six months since the loss of FZ 981; a tragic event in our history. The families of those involved remain our focus and we will continue to do all we can to support them.
Statement 23 - Sunday 19 March 2017
In loving memory of FZ 981
Statement 24 - Sunday 19 March 2017
In memory of the passengers and crew members who so tragically lost their lives on flight FZ981, one year ago, flydubai joined memorials being held in both Rostov-on-Don and Dubai today.
At the memorials family members, friends and colleagues gathered together in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith commented on the memorials saying, “Today offers a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of flight FZ981. Our hearts go out to the families of the passengers and crew members who are mourning loved ones. At this time of reflection, we hope the memorials offer a degree of comfort to the families who continue to grieve. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the officials and authorities in Rostov-On-Don and my colleagues at flydubai who have made these memorials possible.”
Statement 25 - Monday 20 March 2017
We are aware that the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has issued a status update in relation to the FZ981 air accident investigation. We welcome the progress towards the preparation of the draft Final Report. We are committed to making all contributions we can to the enhancement of air safety. The care and support of the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of flight FZ981 remain a priority for flydubai.
Statement 26 - Monday 20 August 2018
We are aware that The Investigator in Charge at the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) the only authorised source of information relating to the investigation, has issued a statement today with an update on the status of the investigation into the accident involving FZ981. We would like to thank The Investigator in Charge for their continued efforts to identify the cause of the accident. flydubai, through the accredited representative, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) continues to support the investigation.
flydubai fully recognises its obligations under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13. In line with the protocols, flydubai is unable to elaborate further on any aspects of the investigation, until the investigation is complete and the Final Report is published.
Our Family Assistance Team continues to remain available to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of flight FZ981 for as long as they require.
Statement 27 - Tuesday 26 November 2019
Following the publication of the Final Report into the accident involving FZ 981, please find below a document containing our media statements and a video which provides a summary of the investigation which are available to download.