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Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Violent Cockpit Brawl Forces Emergency Landing
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News18•01-10-2026, 01:50
Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Violent Cockpit Brawl Forces Emergency Landing
- •A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a violent clash between two pilots in the cockpit.
- •One pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft during the brawl, leading to a sudden loss of altitude.
- •The aircraft transmitted emergency signals, including a hijacking code, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged one pilot stabbed the other and attempted to crash the plane; passengers reportedly intervened.
- •The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; both pilots were hospitalized, and passengers continued to Tel Aviv on another flight.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai suspended its Israel flights pending a thorough probe into a serious in-flight security incident involving a violent cockpit clash on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Flight FZ1703 made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent brawl broke out between two pilots inside the cockpit, during which one pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft.
During the journey, passengers reportedly entered the cockpit and overpowered the pilot while another crew member took control of the aircraft, which eventually landed safely with both injured pilots hospitalized.
