A recent hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel has raised concerns about the airline's operations and its role in connecting Israel to the United Arab Emirates. The incident occurred on September 9, 2026, when a passenger attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing, and the passenger was subdued by other passengers. Flydubai, a Dubai government-owned airline, has become a key player in connecting Israelis to the rest of the world.
Flydubai began operating in 2009 and launched regular flights to Israel in 2020, shortly after the UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations. The airline has continued to operate flights to and from Israel even during times of conflict, providing an important connection for Israelis seeking to travel abroad. In October 2023, when war broke out in Israel, many foreign airlines suspended flights to the country for extended periods. Flydubai and other UAE airlines continued to operate flights, offering a vital lifeline for Israelis.
The airline operates dozens of flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai each week, making it a popular choice for travelers. According to Ben Gurion Airport data, flydubai carried roughly 90,000 passengers in August, accounting for approximately 4% of the airport's international passenger traffic. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 420,000 passengers have flown with the airline to or from Ben Gurion, placing it third among international airlines operating at the airport by passenger volume.
The hijacking attempt has sparked calls for action against flydubai. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev has reportedly asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately suspend flydubai flights to Israel until the circumstances of the incident are clarified. Regev alleged that flydubai had violated the countries' aviation agreement, which requires pilots operating flights to Israel to be citizens of countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations.
However, not everyone agrees that suspending flydubai flights is the right course of action. Former Israeli ambassador to the UAE Amir Hayek has pushed back against calls for a suspension, arguing that flydubai and Etihad were the only two airlines that continued flying to Israel even during difficult times. Hayek believes that the UAE and the airline should be allowed to fully investigate what happened rather than face action based on speculation.
The incident has also raised questions about the airline's safety record and its role in the region. Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights as a precautionary measure. The airline continues to expand its global network, operating an average of 2,200 flights a week and serving more than 125 destinations in 56 countries. Its partnership with Emirates gives passengers access to a combined network of more than 214 unique destinations in over 100 countries.
The Israeli government will likely be monitoring the situation closely, as the incident could have implications for the country's relationships with the UAE and other countries in the region. The investigation into the hijacking attempt is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what actions will be taken in response. For now, flydubai's operations remain under scrutiny.
Key points
- Flydubai has become a key player in connecting Israelis to the rest of the world, operating dozens of flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai each week.
- The hijacking attempt has sparked calls for action against flydubai, including a possible suspension of flights.
- The incident has raised questions about the airline's safety record and its role in the region, with some arguing that it should be allowed to investigate the incident rather than face immediate action.
