Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel after the mid-air cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073 on September 30, saying the pause will remain in place while authorities investigate the incident.
The Dubai-based airline said on Thursday that the decision was taken in coordination with the relevant authorities. It apologised to passengers whose travel plans were disrupted and said it was working on support and alternative arrangements.
**What happened aboard FZ1073**
The Boeing 737 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to lose altitude. Off-duty crew members travelling aboard the flight helped overpower the attacker and secure the aircraft before it diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said some crew members were injured and has launched an investigation covering the operational and security aspects of the incident. The airline's 174 passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv aboard another flydubai flight.
**Fallout and reactions**
Israel scrambled warplanes when the flight made an erratic turn near the Jordanian border, fearing a possible hijacking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia had arrested the pilot who carried out the attack.
US President Donald Trump called the co-pilot "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job", while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, as a "hero" and wished him a speedy recovery.
Separately, Israeli flag carrier El Al announced preparations to resume Tel Aviv-Dubai flights in November after a suspension of more than eight months. Israel's Channel 13 reported that Israeli authorities were considering whether to revoke flydubai's operating licence.
The airline said it was fully cooperating with the investigation and would review the suspension as more information becomes available.
Sources:
- India TV: Flydubai suspends flights to and from Israel amid probe into mid-air pilot altercation
- Hindustan Times: flydubai incident LIVE
- Economic Times: Who is Smit Machchhar? Indian flydubai captain who saved 174 passengers
The Dubai-based airline said on Thursday that the decision was taken in coordination with the relevant authorities. It apologised to passengers whose travel plans were disrupted and said it was working on support and alternative arrangements.
**What happened aboard FZ1073**
The Boeing 737 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to lose altitude. Off-duty crew members travelling aboard the flight helped overpower the attacker and secure the aircraft before it diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said some crew members were injured and has launched an investigation covering the operational and security aspects of the incident. The airline's 174 passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv aboard another flydubai flight.
**Fallout and reactions**
Israel scrambled warplanes when the flight made an erratic turn near the Jordanian border, fearing a possible hijacking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia had arrested the pilot who carried out the attack.
US President Donald Trump called the co-pilot "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job", while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, as a "hero" and wished him a speedy recovery.
Separately, Israeli flag carrier El Al announced preparations to resume Tel Aviv-Dubai flights in November after a suspension of more than eight months. Israel's Channel 13 reported that Israeli authorities were considering whether to revoke flydubai's operating licence.
The airline said it was fully cooperating with the investigation and would review the suspension as more information becomes available.
Sources:
- India TV: Flydubai suspends flights to and from Israel amid probe into mid-air pilot altercation
- Hindustan Times: flydubai incident LIVE
- Economic Times: Who is Smit Machchhar? Indian flydubai captain who saved 174 passengers
