Passengers Recount Terror on Flydubai Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia

Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from the UAE to Israel described a terrifying ordeal Wednesday after the plane was denied landing in Tel Aviv due to a hijacking alert and was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Passengers reported hearing screams from the cockpit, the plane shaking violently, and plunging rapidly. One passenger recounted, "We thought we were going to die," detailing sending farewell messages to her parents and witnessing the co-pilot attack the pilot with a sharp object, causing the pilot to bleed. Another passenger described the plane performing "almost loops in the air" and believing the pilots were dead.

According to initial reports, Israeli passengers intervened, with some entering the cockpit to help subdue the assailant, identified as the co-pilot, who was reportedly of Omani origin. Passengers described restraining the co-pilot, who was allegedly attempting to crash the plane. The pilot, though injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to assist in subduing the co-pilot. The flight, carrying 174 Israelis, was escorted by Saudi fighter jets to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Following the incident, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that indications pointed to a terrorist act, and Israel was awaiting further information from Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot's presence in the cockpit may violate aviation agreements between Israel and the UAE, which prohibit pilots from hostile countries from being in cockpits on flights to Israel. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev demanded a freeze on all Flydubai flights to Israel, suggesting replacement with Israeli carriers, though this may be complicated by Shin Bet security requirements impacting Israeli airlines' ability to resume flights to the UAE.