Flydubai Passengers Plan Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuits Against Israel
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Passengers from a Flydubai flight that experienced an attempted hijacking are preparing to sue Israeli authorities and the airline for hundreds of millions of dollars. A coordination committee has been formed to represent about 100 passengers, with legal teams exploring claims under international conventions. The incident, which occurred on September 30th, involved the co-pilot attacking the captain, requiring passenger intervention to regain control of the aircraft. Compensation is contingent on proving damages, and victims' eligibility for state aid depends on the incident being officially recognized as an act of hostility.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Flydubai passengers plan multi-million dollar lawsuits against Israeli authorities and the airline.
- A coordination committee representing about 100 passengers is leading the legal effort.
- The lawsuits stem from an attempted hijacking and terror attack thwarted by passengers on September 30th.
- Legal experts estimate potential compensation could reach $250,000 per passenger.
- Victims' eligibility for state aid depends on the incident being recognized as an act of hostility.
Passengers from a Flydubai flight where an attempted hijacking and terror attack were thwarted are preparing to file lawsuits seeking hundreds of millions of dollars against the airline, Israeli authorities, and other involved parties. The passengers have formed a coordination committee, led by Zvika Manes, to negotiate with authorities, according to the economic publication "Calcalist." Approximately 100 out of 174 passengers have granted the committee power of attorney.
The committee, which also includes lawyer Tal Eisenberg and passengers Daniel Shlichter, Itai Perlman, and Shir Maor, is consulting with Israeli and international law firms to select legal representation. Potential defendants include Israel's Ministry of Transport and possibly a similar ministry in the United Arab Emirates, as well as ministries from other countries whose citizens were aboard.
A significant challenge for the lawsuits is the lack of precedent for such an incident, where the hijacker was the pilot and the plane was already in a nosedive before being brought under control. Preliminary legal reviews suggest that certain provisions within the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE concerning air travel may have been violated.
The initiative began in a WhatsApp group created after the flight's emergency landing in Ben Gurion Airport. Manes, described as a prominent capital market executive with legal connections, was asked to lead the group.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30th was disrupted when the co-pilot attacked the captain. Several passengers intervened, neutralizing the co-pilot, while another passenger, Yanniv Hayoun, stabilized the aircraft. The plane landed in Saudi Arabia, and passengers were later returned to Israel.
Legal experts estimate potential compensation could reach $250,000 per passenger. Lawyers are exploring filing claims under the Montreal Convention in the U.S. Compensation is not guaranteed, as each claimant must prove the incident, their damages, and the causal link. Airlines are generally liable for damages up to approximately $630,000, but can avoid responsibility by proving lack of fault or negligence.
Separately, the National Insurance Institute's assistance to victims depends on the Ministry of Defense recognizing the incident as an act of hostility, a designation considered likely. Such recognition would enable victims to receive medical treatment, psychological support, and disability payments, similar to past terror attack victims.
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