A Flydubai aircraft carrying more than 170 passengers and crew experienced a critical incident approximately two hours after departing Dubai International Airport. The plane descended rapidly by more than 17,000 feet before passengers and crew successfully subdued an attacker and regained control of the aircraft, which then made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated to Fox News that preliminary findings suggest the attacker, identified as an Omani national, intended to crash the aircraft. The individual stabbed a fellow pilot before attempting to seize command of the plane. After being restrained by passengers and crew, the attacker reportedly requested to be killed, according to Netanyahu’s account. Israeli security officials told the BBC that investigations led by Mossad, based on interviews with passengers after arrival, support the conclusion that the alleged attacker planned to deliberately down the plane.
The UAE state news agency announced that investigations had commenced within the Emirates to determine whether the incident involved terrorist activity or motivations. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot received medical clearance and were returned to the UAE the morning after the emergency landing. Indian Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu both praised the stabbed pilot, identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, as a hero. India’s ambassador to the UAE visited the captain in hospital, confirming his recovery was proceeding well.
Netanyahu acknowledged that a security gap had allowed a pilot from a nation without formal diplomatic relations with Israel to operate flights to Israeli territory. He stated that officials from countries lacking such relations typically could not pilot aircraft to Israel, and indicated measures were being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future, noting cooperation from UAE authorities.
Following the incident, Flydubai suspended operations between Dubai and Tel Aviv while conducting its own investigation. The Israeli Transportation Ministry aligned with Netanyahu’s directive regarding the suspension. Israeli carriers including El Al, Israir, and Arkia arranged rescue flights from Dubai to transport stranded passengers, while the Transportation Ministry requested increased flight capacity from Etihat Airlines between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
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