FlyDubai Barred From Israel After Hijacking Attempt, Awaiting Security Review

FlyDubai has requested permission to resume flights to Israel, a week after an attempted hijacking of one of its flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv. However, Israeli Minister of Transport Miri Regev has so far denied the Emirati carrier's request. The airline stated it has completed an internal investigation into the September 30th incident, which involved an Omani co-pilot attacking the captain and attempting to seize control of flight FZ1073. FlyDubai has reportedly dismissed a significant number of security staff implicated in the incident. The UAE authorities have also appealed to Israel to allow the airline to resume its Tel Aviv route, but both Regev and Civil Aviation Authority head Shmuel Zakai have not yet granted approval.

Officials from Israel's Ministry of Transport have been invited to Dubai next week to review the airline's new security measures. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when co-pilot Hamam al-Khamami attacked Captain Smith Machchar, intending to hijack the plane and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport. The aircraft lost altitude sharply, but the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing Israeli passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The investigation, led by UAE authorities, is examining the circumstances, the attacker's motives, and whether the incident was terror-related or pre-planned. New findings suggest al-Khamami planned the attack before joining FlyDubai and may have considered hijacking a flight to Tel Aviv in July. He had previously faced flight restrictions in Oman due to concerns about his radical views. His flight training in New Zealand and studies in Australia are also under review.

In response to the incident, Israel has begun implementing new procedures for vetting foreign flight crews, requiring advance submission of personal data. Crews from "red-flagged" countries will undergo additional checks by the Shin Bet and Mossad. The issue has become a political concern in Israel, with reports indicating the Ministry of Transport failed for years to perform required checks on foreign flights despite security warnings. Minister Regev denies her ministry's responsibility, stating it lacks access to intelligence information.

FlyDubai remains suspended from flying to Israel. Its return will depend on the investigation's outcome and Israel's assessment of the airline's new security protocols.