Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai ranks 80th globally after midair attack draws scrutiny
Flydubai is an airline owned by the United Arab Emirates government.
Skytrax placed it eighth among regional airlines in the Middle East and 80th in its global 2026 ranking.
The airline is in the news after a serious incident on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The UAE attorney general said the co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe and tried to take control of the plane.
The article says the plane dropped quickly and later landed in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers and crew reportedly helped subdue the co-pilot.
The reason for the alleged attack has not been established in the article.
Flydubai says it carried 15.7 million passengers in 2025.
Skytrax ranked Flydubai eighth among Middle East regional airlines and 80th in its 2026 global top 100.
The UAE attorney general said initial findings indicate the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit emergency axe and tried to take control.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight made a rapid descent and later landed in Saudi Arabia; the article says the crew and passengers subdued the co-pilot.
Flydubai is a UAE government-owned carrier with 98 Boeing 737 aircraft, according to its website.
The airline carried 15.7 million passengers in 2025 and reported revenue of AED 13.6 billion.
- Who
- Flydubai, Captain Smit Machchhar, and the co-pilot.
- What
- A co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft; the story also reports Flydubai's airline rankings.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on September 30; the article gives Flydubai's 2026 ranking and 2025 operating figures.
- Where
- On Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the aircraft later landed in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The UAE attorney general described the alleged attack as an attempted terrorist act. The co-pilot's motive is reported as unknown.
- Skytrax Middle East regional ranking
- 8th
- World's Top 100 Airlines 2026 ranking
- 80th
- Skytrax rating
- Three stars as a certified low-cost carrier
- Aircraft fleet
- 98 Boeing 737 aircraft, according to the airline's website
- Passengers in 2025
- 15.7 million
- Revenue
- AED 13.6 billion ($3.7 billion)
- Flight involved
- FZ1073, Dubai to Tel Aviv