Former Israeli Soccer Player Recounts Harrowing Dubai Flight Hijacking Attempt

Former Israeli soccer player Oren Ido described a "Hollywood script" unfolding on a Flydubai flight from Dubai, where he believes passengers and crew averted a disaster. Ido recounted that the plane began to "fly and move from wing to wing," causing its tail to break. He alleged that the co-pilot attacked the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. Passengers heard screams from flight attendants and were told to help, with Ido describing the plane "diving down like a leaf from side to side."

Ido reported that the pilot managed to make an announcement before opening the cockpit door and collapsing. He stated that a passenger broke into the cockpit and witnessed the Omani co-pilot attempting to crash the aircraft. Fortunately, two European pilots, who were reportedly returning the plane, took control and successfully landed it. Ido noted that during the descent, phones flew from the front rows, and passengers were reciting prayers in fear.

Ido, who was traveling with his young children, expressed relief at being alive. He described the hospitality in Saudi Arabia, where passengers were taken after the landing, as exemplary, with private rooms, food, and medical attention. He mentioned that two Israelis who fought the co-pilot sustained injuries, one with a head injury and the other a hand cut. Ido himself suffered bruises but was focused on the traumatic experience. He expressed uncertainty about boarding another flight back to Israel, as they were told a flight from Dubai would bring them home.