A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert to northwestern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a pilot allegedly stabbed his colleague in the cockpit in what Israeli officials describe as an attempted hijacking, passengers said.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 carrying around 180 passengers, mostly Israelis, transmitted an emergency signal declaring “unlawful interference” at 05:38 UTC. Flight data showed the aircraft abruptly descended nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before landing safely at Tabuk airport.
Israeli security officials, including the IDF, Mossad and Shin Bet, believe the incident was intended as a terrorist attack. Initial reports indicated the co-pilot stabbed the captain. Cabin crew and passengers then entered the cockpit, overpowered the attacker and helped stabilise the aircraft. Two other pilots who were on board assisted in landing the plane.
“Someone shouted ‘stabbing’ and my husband immediately understood what was happening and rushed to the front of the plane, and along with other Israelis they neutralized the terrorist,” said Meital, a passenger whose husband took part in the struggle. “There were stabbings and a lot of blood. We’re very emotional and under terrible stress.”
Yasmin Abu Kasis, whose daughter Miriam was on the flight, recounted her daughter’s account: a man seized a knife, forced the pilot to the floor and left blood “everywhere.” Passengers near the front forced the attacker out of the cockpit, according to a witness quoted by Israeli media.
In a video circulating on social media, a passenger with blood on his face said: “We’re here during the hijacking of an airplane. At this point we’ve subdued the terrorists, we’re approaching landing. Whoever is hearing me, we need help. We’re landing in Tabuk, apparently in Saudi Arabia… On the plane, everybody is safe and sound, other than the pilot.”
Tabuk airport confirmed both the pilot and co-pilot were hospitalised. The co-pilot is under questioning, with Israeli officials saying “indications are mounting that he intended to take control of the plane and crash it with the passengers on board.”
An Israeli official described the outcome as “a major disaster was narrowly avoided.” Israeli fighter jets were scrambled during the incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefed and cleared his schedule to manage the crisis. His office initially said the situation was “under control” and that efforts were underway to return the Israeli passengers to Israel.
A Flydubai spokesperson confirmed the flight experienced an “incident” en route to Tel Aviv, diverted to Tabuk and landed safely, with all passengers accounted for. No further details were provided. The UAE has not yet commented.
A second Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, FZ1081, also diverted and returned to Dubai. It was not immediately clear whether the diversion was precautionary.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates have maintained close ties since normalising relations in 2020, including security cooperation.
