Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai-based flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel following a serious cockpit incident aboard flight FZ1073, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026. The airline said the suspension was made in coordination with the relevant authorities and will remain in place while the investigation continues. No date has been announced for the resumption of Israel services.
In a statement, flydubai said the temporary suspension would allow authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident. The airline said the safety and wellbeing of passengers, crew and operations remain its highest priority and that it is cooperating with government agencies, regulators and airport authorities. It will review the suspension as more information becomes available and is working to support affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements.
The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when FZ1073 was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. During the flight, an altercation broke out in the cockpit and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The aircraft was carrying 174 people, and all passengers and crew survived.
The pilot involved was identified as Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured during the confrontation. An Israeli official identified the co-pilot as an Omani national, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker apparently tried to crash the aircraft. Flydubai has not publicly identified the co-pilot or disclosed a motive. The aircraft subsequently lost substantial altitude before the situation was brought under control.
Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and off-duty pilots aboard the aircraft to enter and restrain the other pilot. The aircraft was then stabilised and diverted to Tabuk. The precise sequence of events and the motive remain under investigation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1 praised Machchhar, calling him a “HERO” and saying that, despite being seriously injured, he showed courage and helped avert a major tragedy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Captain Smit Machchhar for opening the cockpit door despite being seriously injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. He later said it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved and that Israel would possibly participate in the investigation.
Flydubai has not announced how long the Israel suspension will last. The airline said it would reassess the decision as more information becomes available, while affected passengers are being offered support and alternative travel options where possible.
