Israeli agencies investigate attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight
Israeli authorities are investigating an attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai flight after an Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain before being subdued by passengers.
Israeli security authorities are investigating an attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Emirati captain in an effort to crash the Boeing 737 carrying 177 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens. Passengers and crew restrained the attacker using headphone cables before a third pilot safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The passengers subsequently arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flight.
Israeli officials described the incident as a "jihadist attack," drawing comparisons to 9/11. In response, Israel scrambled fighter jets, denied entry to its airspace, and requested the suspension of Flydubai services, prompting subsequent flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv to turn back or reroute. Israeli agencies are now re-evaluating security clearance protocols and background vetting procedures for foreign crew members.
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, 08:00 AM UTCIsraeli agencies probe security breaches after Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
- Oct 2, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCIsrael investigates security breach after co-pilot attempts to hijack Flydubai flight