FlyDubai suspends flights to Israel after co-pilot stabbed captain Smit Machchhar
FlyDubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel after a co-pilot stabbed the pilot during flight FZ 1073 to Tel Aviv. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero after he opened the cockpit door to allow the attacker to be restrained.
Co-pilot stabs pilot in flight to Tel Aviv; FlyDubai suspends Israeli routes
FlyDubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel following a serious incident that occurred on Wednesday aboard flight FZ 1073, News.ro reports. The co-pilot stabbed the pilot during a flight bound for Tel Aviv, causing an abrupt descent of over 15,000 feet — approximately 5,300 metres — in less than two minutes, according to Flightradar24 data.
"This temporary suspension will allow the competent authorities to continue their activity and establish all the circumstances of the incident," FlyDubai said, one of the largest airline operators in the Middle East. The company added that it remains "in close coordination with government authorities, regulatory bodies and interested parties from airports" and will reassess the suspension as further information becomes available.
FlyDubai also apologised to the affected passengers and announced that it is making efforts to provide them with "support and alternative solutions, where possible".
Emergency landing in Saudi Arabia
The flight departed from Dubai on Wednesday morning, bound for Tel Aviv, a journey of approximately four hours. About two hours after takeoff, the aircraft executed an abrupt descent followed by a sharp climb and another descent. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk, in Saudi Arabia, after crew members and passengers entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot, according to Israeli officials.
On board was also a second pair of FlyDubai pilots, who took control during the emergency manoeuvre, according to the company and Reuters. FlyDubai subsequently sent replacement aircraft to Tabuk, and all 174 passengers arrived safely in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening.
Netanyahu calls Indian captain a hero
The injured pilot was identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him on social media, writing on X that the pilot, though stabbed and seriously wounded, "fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to restrain the attacker — thus preventing a catastrophic disaster mid-flight."
"He saved the lives of 174 people, among them Israeli citizens and citizens of other countries. I wish Captain Machchhar a swift and complete recovery. He is a true hero," Netanyahu wrote. He mentioned that nearly all passengers on the flight were Israeli and that the attacker "appears to have attempted to crash the plane with passengers on board."
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Wednesday that Machchhar had been admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, with his condition being stable.
Trump: "terrorist or madman"
American President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had discussed the attack with Netanyahu and claimed that the attacker appears to be "either a terrorist, or possibly a madman."
Many details of the incident remain unclear as authorities continue their investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the assault.
Source: News.ro