Israel investigates security lapse after Flydubai co-pilot attempts flight hijack
Israeli authorities are investigating how an Omani co-pilot bypassed security to launch an attack aboard a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight.
Israeli security agencies are investigating a breach in vetting procedures after an Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The attacker attempted to crash the aircraft, which was carrying roughly 180 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens. Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot using headphone cables, allowing a secondary pilot to perform an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli air force jets were scrambled, and the flight was denied entry into Israeli airspace before passengers were transferred to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz termed the incident a "jihadist attack." Following the event, Israel requested the suspension of incoming Flydubai routes, forcing subsequent flights to turn back.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.
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
- 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
- El Mundo — Israel investiga como ataque terrorista el incidente del vuelo de Flydubai: "Nos hemos hecho con el control"
- Il Messaggero — Volo Dubai-Tel Aviv, chi è il copilota omanita e come ha fatto a evitare i controlli: il giallo della doppia cittadinanza e «l'arma» portata a bordo
- La Repubblica — Un testimone sul volo Dubai-Tel Aviv: “Abbiamo immobilizzato l’assalitore con i cavi delle cuffie”
- ANSA — Paura in volo, copilota accoltella comandante. Israele evoca l'11/9 Katz: 'Tentato attacco jihadista'
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