Stories
Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Hijack Scare: Omani Co-Pilot Stabs Emirati Pilot, Israel Probes Terror
- •An Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed an Emirati pilot and attempted to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, prompting an Israeli terror investigation.
- •Crew and passengers subdued the co-pilot after hearing a struggle in the cockpit, averting a potential disaster.
- •The FlyDubai flight FZ-1073 broadcast an emergency alert, descended 16,000 feet, and made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Israel scrambled fighter jets and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting amid fears of a hijacking.
- •The incident occurred weeks before Israeli elections, with Netanyahu having previously warned of potential attacks by "enemies" ahead of the vote.
Key Questions Answered
During FlyDubai flight FZ-1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the Omani co-pilot stabbed the Emirati pilot and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The crew and passengers managed to subdue the attacker, and the plane eventually made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials treated the episode as a terror incident, and Israel scrambled fighter jets to prepare for a worst-case scenario. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a visit to the south of the country and convened a meeting of the security brass.
Tabuk airport authorities reported that both pilots have been hospitalized with injuries, with the Emirati captain in critical condition. While FlyDubai sent planes to transport passengers from Tabuk to Tel Aviv, some Israeli passengers refused to board and demanded an Israeli-run evacuation flight.
