Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Israel Rejects Flydubai Request to Resume Tel Aviv Flights
Flydubai wants to start flying to Tel Aviv again.
It asked Israel for permission after a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain on a flight.
The incident happened on September 30 aboard a plane traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, was hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew helped stop the co-pilot.
The plane, with 182 people aboard, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai said its investigation was nearly finished and that several employees had been dismissed.
Israel’s transportation minister has not approved the request.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of security for foreign civil flights operating to Israel.
Flydubai asked Israeli authorities for permission to resume flights to Tel Aviv after the September 30 cockpit attack.
The airline said its investigation was nearing completion and several employees had been dismissed.
Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flight FZ1073.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, carrying 182 people, diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev has declined the request; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of security arrangements for foreign civil aviation.
- Who
- Flydubai; captain Smit Machchhar; co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami; Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Flydubai requested permission to resume Tel Aviv flights after an alleged cockpit attack; Israel has declined the request, and Netanyahu ordered a security review.
- When
- The attack occurred on September 30; the request and refusal were reported on October 7, 2026.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The reported refusal followed the cockpit attack and the ensuing scrutiny of security arrangements for foreign airlines operating to Israel.
Flydubai
Israeli authorities
Resuming Tel Aviv flights
Flydubai
Flydubai sought permission to restart service, saying its investigation was nearing completion and several employees had been dismissed.
Israeli authorities
Transportation Minister Miri Regev declined the request, while Israeli authorities reviewed aviation security arrangements.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- 182
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Flydubai response
- The airline said its investigation was nearing completion and several employees had been dismissed.
- Israeli action
- Miri Regev declined the restart request; Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of security arrangements for foreign civil aviation.
- Reported ministry discussions
- Officials from Israel's Transportation Ministry were invited to Dubai the following week.
