Updated October 1, 2026

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed in Saudi Arabia on September 30 after a serious incident in the cockpit. The airline confirmed that flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk Airport and later announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that one pilot stabbed another and attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew intervened. Flydubai confirmed a cockpit altercation but said the reasons and motives remained under investigation. That distinction is important: official allegations have not yet been established by a completed investigation.

Where Was the Flight Going?

Flight FZ1073 was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Its journey was interrupted by the cockpit incident, and it landed at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai said crew members travelling aboard secured the aircraft and carried out the diversion and landing. The carrier initially dispatched two replacement aircraft to assist passengers and crew.

What Allegedly Happened Inside the Cockpit?

According to Netanyahu’s account, one pilot attacked the other and tried to bring down the aircraft. He said the injured captain resisted and opened the cockpit door, enabling intervention.

ABC News reported that Netanyahu credited a passenger and a crew member with subduing the alleged attacker. Another flight crew member then helped stabilise the aircraft, according to his statement.

Passengers also described a frightening loss of control. Their accounts support the picture of a serious emergency, although the precise sequence of actions remains subject to investigation.

Why Were There Reports of a Hijacking?

Early reporting referred to an emergency signal indicating possible unlawful interference. Sky News, citing Reuters and flight-tracking information, reported that Israeli fighter jets were scrambled during the incident.

Initial descriptions varied between a fight involving pilots and a possible hijacking. An emergency signal can alert authorities to a suspected threat, but it does not independently establish the motive or final legal classification of an incident.

Israeli officials subsequently described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. That characterisation should remain attributed to those officials while investigators establish what happened.

Were There Injuries?

The Associated Press reported that the injured captain, identified as Smit Machchhar of India, was in stable condition, citing the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

AP also reported that passengers completed their journey to Israel on another aircraft on Wednesday evening. Netanyahu said Saudi authorities had arrested the co-pilot. The motive remained unclear in AP’s reporting.

Reports that passengers reached safety should therefore not be interpreted as meaning nobody aboard was injured.

Has Flydubai Suspended Flights to Israel?

Yes. In its latest published update, Flydubai announced that flights to and from Israel would be suspended while the investigation continued. The statement did not specify a restart date.

Travellers with affected bookings should check their flight status directly with Flydubai or their booking provider before travelling to the airport. Earlier news reports may reflect information released before the suspension.

What Still Needs to Be Confirmed?

Several questions remain open, including the motive, the exact sequence inside the cockpit, and investigators’ final assessment of the event.

Early reports also gave differing passenger totals and estimates of the aircraft’s descent. Those figures should not be treated as settled without further confirmation.

For readers following this developing story, the most useful distinction is between what the airline has confirmed, what officials and witnesses have alleged, and what a formal investigation ultimately establishes.

This article reflects information available on October 1, 2026. Details may change as authorities release further findings.