Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit incident
A Flydubai flight heading to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia following a cockpit emergency, as Israeli authorities investigate conflicting reports of a pilot altercation or terror attempt.
A Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday following a severe in-flight emergency. The aircraft reportedly transmitted an emergency transponder code signaling unlawful interference, prompting the Israeli Air Force to scramble fighter jets and deny the plane entry into Israeli airspace.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that a "terrorist" attempted to crash the aircraft carrying approximately 180 Israeli passengers. Meanwhile, multiple media outlets and passenger accounts reported a violent altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, with some alleging a stabbing inside the cockpit.
Israeli authorities stated that all hypotheses, including a potential terrorist attack, remain under investigation. No official confirmation has been issued regarding the exact cause of the dispute.
Sources: Corriere della Sera, Le Figaro, Le Monde, ORF, RTBF Info.
How outlets assessed this
- ANSA Alarmed Emphasized official Israeli rhetoric comparing the attempted crash to a jihadist attack akin to 9/11.
- Il Messaggero Critical Focused on potential intelligence and vetting failures regarding foreign airline crews entering Israeli airspace.
- ANSA Alarmed Emphasized official statements labelling the hijacking an attempted jihadist attack and invoking comparisons to 9/11.
- Il Messaggero Cautious Focused on unanswered questions surrounding security screening failures and how the co-pilot brought a weapon aboard.
Sources
- Le Figaro — EN DIRECT - Avion de Flydubai dérouté : des responsables israéliens affirment que l’incident pourrait être une tentative d’«attaque terroriste»
- RTBF Info — Que s’est-il passé à bord du vol Flydubai à destination d’Israël ? Un "terroriste" a voulu faire s'écraser l'avion, affirme un ministre israélien
- Le Monde — Un avion de la compagnie Flydubaï reliant Dubaï et Tel-Aviv dérouté vers l’Arabie saoudite, les autorités israéliennes n’excluent pas l’hypothèse « terroriste »
- ORF — Medien: Pilot wollte Flydubai-Maschine zum Absturz bringen
- Corriere della Sera — Volo Dubai-Tel Aviv dirottato, gli aggiornamenti in diretta | Israele: «Il co-pilota ha tentato di far schiantare l'aereo». E chiede la sospensione dei voli Flydubai verso il Paese
Earlier coverage
- Oct 5, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates Flydubai flight hijacking attempt by co-pilot
- Oct 4, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates Flydubai flight attack after co-pilot stabs captain
- Oct 4, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsrael investigates security lapse after foiled Flydubai flight attack
- Oct 4, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCIsrael investigates foiled Flydubai hijacking attempt as terrorism
- Oct 3, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCIsrael scrambles jets and reviews security after Flydubai hijack attempt
- Oct 3, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCIsrael investigates attempted Flydubai hijacking as terror attack
- Oct 3, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsrael demands Flydubai flight suspension following attempted cockpit hijacking
- Oct 3, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCIsrael investigates attempted hijack of Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv
- Oct 2, 2026, 10:30 AM UTCIsraeli agencies investigate attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight
- Oct 2, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCIsraeli agencies probe security breaches after Flydubai flight hijacking attempt