Flydubai Incident Sparks Israeli Traveler Concerns, Government Weighs Response

An incident aboard a Flydubai flight, which nearly resulted in a catastrophe, has prompted Israelis planning international travel to reconsider their plans. Travel agencies reported on Wednesday, September 30, that clients are inquiring about changing routes or canceling flights to avoid using Flydubai. This concern extends to Israelis already abroad with tickets on the airline.

One traveler, Shahar from Tel Aviv, scheduled to fly to the Philippines on October 2 via a Flydubai transit through Dubai, expressed his unease. Initially dismissing reports of a hijacking attempt as a technical glitch, he is now seeking alternative flights, possibly through Madrid, due to pressure from his family. Changing his plans so close to departure will incur significant costs, as he risks losing his initial payment if he misses the flight and will need to rebook at higher prices.

While travel agencies acknowledge passenger concerns, they have not yet seen a wave of cancellations. Tamar Garzon, CEO of Gulliver agency, stated they have received only a few cancellation requests and are monitoring the situation closely.

The incident involved a pilot, identified as an Omani national, who allegedly stabbed a second pilot, an Indian national, and attempted to crash the plane by initiating a steep dive. The crew, with the help of passengers, managed to subdue the alleged perpetrator. The flight, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, from where passengers were flown to Israel on a special Flydubai flight.

Israeli intelligence services suspect a terrorist attempt. Transportation Minister Miri Regev proposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a temporary ban on Flydubai flights to Israel pending investigation. However, an Israeli source told Ynet that Jerusalem does not intend to halt Flydubai's operations, citing trust in the UAE and the airline's significant role in transporting over a million Israelis last year. The source highlighted the "heroic" actions of Israelis on board who helped resolve the situation.

Flydubai, established in 2008 by the Dubai government, has been a prominent foreign airline at Ben Gurion Airport since its first commercial flight to Israel in November 2020, facilitated by the Abraham Accords. It has maintained a consistent presence, even during periods when other airlines suspended flights to Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks, operating over 1800 flights to the country. The airline saw a substantial increase in passenger traffic to and from Israel, carrying over 800,000 passengers in 2025, making it the sixth-largest carrier at Ben Gurion Airport.