Saudi Arabia launches air safety probe into flydubai incident, sources say 

Saudi Arabia has launched an air accident probe following last week’s cockpit stabbing on a flydubai jet, as experts examine any fallout for aviation safety alongside a separate UAE-led criminal investigation, three people close to the matter said. 

Why it matters

Safety probes designed to keep flights safe are normal after accidents but are not mandatory when a deliberate act is involved. Until now, it has remained unclear whether Saudi Arabia would go ahead with such a probe, which experts say could test a system of international co-operation designed to make recommendations for safety without attempting to assign blame.