FlyDubai statements for flight FZ981 crash in Russia

Below is the latest statement from FlyDubai, released at 9.37am UAE time:

Flight FZ981 from Dubai to Rostov On Don crashed on landing killing all 61 on board. Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters / Files

UPDATE:

FlyDubai is still in the process of notifying families, according to a statement released at 8.16pm UAE time:

Our priority is the extension of all possible care and respect to the families of the passengers and crew of flight FZ981. 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.

FlyDubai has confirmed that both black boxes have been recovered in a statement released at 7.46pm UAE time: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.

Below is an update from FlyDubai, released at 4.46pm UAE time:

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 FZ981 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.

Below is an update from FlyDubai, released at 11.53am UAE time:

“Following our earlier statements, more information is now available relating to FlyDubai flight FZ981.

“FlyDubai very much regrets to confirm that the accident involving flight number FZ981 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 Uzbek.

“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.”

Below is the full statement from FlyDubai, released at 9.37am UAE time:

“FlyDubai is deeply sorry to confirm the following information in relation to the tragic accident involving flight FZ981, 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 including 33 women, 18 men and 4 children 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: “Our primary concern is for the families of the passengers and crew who were on board. 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: [phone] (UK)

[phone] (UAE).

“In addition, we have set up a media call centre that can be contacted on the following number: [phone].

“An update will be issued as soon as more information becomes available.”