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Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Cockpit Attack; Safety Concerns Mount
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News18•03-10-2026, 11:22
Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Cockpit Attack; Safety Concerns Mount
- •Flydubai has temporarily suspended all flights to Tel Aviv following a security incident on board.
- •Flydubai flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an alleged cockpit attack.
- •Co-pilot Hamam reportedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machhar with a sharp weapon, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly.
- •Passengers intervened to apprehend the attacker, and the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport.
- •Flydubai stated that an investigation is underway, and the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai temporarily suspended its flights to Tel Aviv following a security incident on flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machhar with a sharp weapon inside the cockpit, causing a struggle and a rapid descent of over 16,000 feet before passengers and crew brought the plane under control and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft was piloted by Indian Captain Smit Machhar, who was injured during the cockpit attack before managing to open the door and help secure the flight with the passengers.
