Flydubai flight FZ1073 diverted from its Dubai–Tel Aviv route to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after violence in the cockpit on 30 September. The airline said all passengers were safe. Netanyahu alleged that one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the aircraft. Investigators are examining the incident while the airline suspends Israel flights.
A Flydubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on 30 September after a violent incident in the cockpit. It landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz airport in Tabuk, in the country’s northwest. Flydubai said all passengers were safe and accounted for. The airport reported that both pilots were wounded.[1], [2]
Passenger Yaniv Hayoun said he heard screams and entered the cockpit as the aircraft descended, finding the attacker at the controls. According to his account, passengers and crew subdued the attacker. Other passengers described help from off-duty pilots to stabilize and land the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that one pilot had stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the plane. The motive remained unclear.[1]
Israel’s transport ministry announced an investigation with defense officials. Netanyahu said Saudi authorities were questioning the accused pilot. Passengers subsequently completed their journey on a replacement aircraft. Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel while the inquiry continued, saying it was cooperating with the relevant authorities. The Dubai–Israel air route began after the two countries normalized relations in 2020.[1]
