Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Cockpit Incident
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious incident happened in the cockpit.
Reports say the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
The plane sent emergency signals, including one associated with unlawful interference or hijacking.
It also descended rapidly, according to reports.
Passengers and crew helped secure the aircraft.
Other pilots took control and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Flydubai said all 172 people aboard were safe and that the captain later returned to the UAE after medical clearance.
The airline suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate.
Flydubai says the investigation should establish what happened, while Israeli officials called the incident an attempted terrorist attack.
Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate the September 30 incident aboard flight FZ1073.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reports say the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar; accounts describe a rapid descent and emergency signals, including code 7500.
Passengers and crew helped secure the aircraft, and other pilots took control before it landed safely; Flydubai said all 172 people aboard were safe.
Flydubai urged people not to speculate before the investigation establishes the facts, while Israeli officials characterized the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
- Who
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, its captain, co-pilot, other crew members and passengers.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack and aircraft emergency led to the flight being diverted and Flydubai suspending Israel flights.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30, 2026; the suspension was announced afterward.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Flydubai said flights were suspended while relevant authorities investigate and establish the facts.
Airline and Investigation
Israeli Officials
What caused the incident
Airline and Investigation
Flydubai said the authorities were investigating to establish the facts and urged against premature speculation.
Israeli Officials
Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft.
How the incident was characterized
Airline and Investigation
Flydubai described a safety incident and said the suspension would remain while the investigation continued.
Israeli Officials
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it an attempted terrorist attack, and Defence Minister Israel Katz called it an attempted jihadist terror attack.
- Airline
- Flydubai
- Flight
- FZ1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Scheduled route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Diversion airport
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- Flydubai said all 172 passengers and crew were safe.
- Emergency signal
- One report said the aircraft transmitted code 7500, associated with unlawful interference or hijacking.
- Flight suspension
- Flights to and from Israel were suspended during the investigation; one airline statement said the suspension was at authorities' request.
Sources
Flydubai Suspends All Flights To And From Israel Amid Probe Into In-Flight Incident
flydubai Suspends Flights To And From Israel Amid Probe Over Hijacking Scare
"Safety Is Our Highest Priority": flydubai Suspends Flights To Israel
