Flydubai Halts Flights to Israel Amid Hijacking Attempt Investigation

Emirati airline Flydubai announced on Wednesday that it is suspending all flights to and from Israel for the duration of the investigation into an attempted hijacking incident. The airline stated that the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew are its top priorities, and the temporary suspension will allow authorities to thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding the event. Flydubai pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and committed to maintaining high safety standards across its network, adding that it is in close coordination with government authorities, regulators, and airport officials, and will reassess the suspension as more information becomes available.

The incident occurred when Flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, broadcast a distress signal and turned back over Jordanian airspace. The airline initially reported the signal was activated due to a dispute between pilots. An Israeli source indicated that the co-pilot, an Omani citizen, is suspected of attempting to hijack the plane and crash it, an act allegedly thwarted by the pilot, an Emirati citizen. During the confrontation, the aircraft reportedly plunged 14,000 feet in one minute.

The flight was diverted and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where over 100 Israeli passengers waited for approximately eight hours for a rescue flight. Saudi Arabia reportedly denied an Israeli request to use its aircraft to collect the passengers. Consequently, Flydubai dispatched a replacement aircraft. However, some passengers initially refused to board, citing concerns about the Emirati airline, and contacted Israel's Transportation Minister and the National Security Council.

Israel's Shin Bet, Mossad, the IDF, and the Ministry of Transportation have launched a joint investigation into the incident. This includes examining potential prior indicators and how the flight crew was composed, particularly concerning the inclusion of a representative from a country with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations.