Israeli Passengers Thwart Co-Pilot's Attempted Hijacking on Dubai Flight

Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a terrifying ordeal when the plane plummeted from 30,000 feet to 15,000 feet in just one minute, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved flight FZ1073 carrying approximately 180 Israeli passengers, including 25 children. During the flight, the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, allegedly attacked the Emirati captain with a knife and attempted to crash the plane. Passengers reported hearing screams from the cockpit and experiencing severe turbulence, with many fearing for their lives and reciting prayers. Several Israeli passengers bravely rushed to the cockpit, subdued the attacker, and helped the injured captain regain control of the aircraft, preventing a potential catastrophe. The plane subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where security forces secured the area.

Following the landing, passengers were left stranded at the airport for hours without communication or updates. One passenger recounted how they had to purchase a SIM card to contact their families. "Nobody knew anything, we didn't know if there was a pilot or not a pilot," one passenger stated, describing the confusion and lack of information. The situation was compounded by the fact that Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have official diplomatic relations, creating a sensitive political and security challenge.

Israeli authorities have pointed fingers at Flydubai, alleging a breach of security agreements by allowing an Omani pilot on a flight to Israel, as such flights are supposed to be operated by pilots from countries with formal ties to Israel. The Israeli military had scrambled fighter jets upon receiving the initial emergency code, and air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily halted. Security officials in Israel believe the flight was seconds away from a fatal crash, attributing the successful prevention to the combined efforts of the injured captain and the heroic passengers.