A Flydubai plane, flight FZ1073, took off from Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning, heading to Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel. The plane signalled an emergency alert two hours into the flight, and tracking data showed a sudden drop in altitude. The flight was carrying at least 150 people, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying "almost all" passengers were Israeli.
According to Netanyahu, one pilot stabbed the other and "apparently tried to crash the plane". A passenger and crew member broke into the cockpit and overpowered the pilot who had carried out the stabbing. The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The pilot who carried out the stabbing was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities.
Passengers on board the flight have described the fear and chaos they experienced during the incident. Yasmin Abukasis told Reuters that her daughter, who was on the flight, said a man holding a knife had forced one of the pilots onto the floor, and that there was blood everywhere. Another passenger described the "very stressful" moment people realised the plane was descending, saying "we understood the pilots lost control".
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the incident an "attempted jihadist terror attack". Netanyahu described the situation as a "very serious security incident" and said Israeli security forces are maintaining close contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety of the passengers. Flydubai said the flight was "successfully secured by on-duty Flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport".
Two replacement aircraft have been sent to Tabuk airport to relieve the passengers and crew, and the incident has had no impact on other scheduled operations. Flydubai confirmed that the captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital, but did not say what caused the injuries. The airline's spokesperson added that their immediate priority is to ensure the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew members involved in this incident.
Netanyahu saluted the heroes who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage, saying they "saved many lives and prevented a major disaster". The incident has raised concerns about air safety and security, with many questions still unanswered about the motive behind the attack. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with Saudi authorities questioning the pilot who carried out the stabbing.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of air travel security, particularly in the Middle East region. The Israeli government has assured that it is working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure the safe return of passengers to Israel. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation among airlines, governments, and security agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key points
- The incident occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
- The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a reported stabbing incident in the cockpit.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one pilot stabbed the other and "apparently tried to crash the plane".
