FlyDubai Withholds Identities of Reserve Pilots Who Averted Hijacking

Four days after an attempted hijacking on FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the airline has yet to reveal the identities or nationalities of two reserve pilots who took control of the aircraft after an attack on the commander. Associated Press highlighted the situation, noting that FlyDubai only refers to them as "crew members on board" without further explanation. Passenger Daniel Shlichter recounted to AP that the two pilots were en route to Tel Aviv for a subsequent return flight. Following the commander's successful escape from the cockpit and the passengers' subduing of the attacker, one of the reserve pilots reportedly rushed to the cockpit and assumed control, with the second pilot joining him shortly after. Shlichter described the pilot as a "true hero" who stabilized the Boeing after a steep descent, a process he estimated took about ten minutes. However, another passenger, an Israeli businessman named Tal, offered a different account to the Jerusalem Post. Tal stated that the reserve pilots were initially in the cabin and appeared stunned. He claimed he had to urge them to take control as the plane was diving, and that one pilot recovered faster than the other. Tal also suggested the cockpit was briefly unoccupied. After the reserve pilots took over, some Israeli passengers remained vigilant, positioning themselves near the cockpit and key cabin areas due to lingering distrust, though the report clarifies this does not imply other crew members were involved in the attack. Shlichter also expressed concern over the pilots' prolonged silence after stabilizing the aircraft, fearing a diversion, possibly to Iran. These anxieties subsided when the pilots announced a landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, approximately 45 minutes later. Official accounts, cited by Reuters, state a reserve pilot took control after al-Hammami was subdued and landed the plane in Tabuk. FlyDubai's reasons for withholding the pilots' identities remain unknown. Previous reports in The Times suggested a British citizen piloted the plane, while other media speculated about New Zealand or South African citizenship, with some passengers reporting one pilot spoke Russian.