flydubai incident LIVE: Passenger who subdued pilot tells Netanyahu 'I strangled terrorist'

flydubai incident LIVE updates: Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a FlyDubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal

flydubai incident LIVE updates: The pilot-in-command stabbed by the first officer during Wednesday's incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Israel's Tel Aviv has been identified as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, people aware of the matter said. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar and his co-pilot were taken to a hospital. His condition was not immediately known....Read More

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Saudi Arabia arrested one of the pilots who apparently tried to bring down a FlyDubai flight full of Israelis.

Netanyahu said that pilot of the flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv had planned to crash it and kill its mostly Israeli passengers, who stopped a "major disaster".

"During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board," Netanyahu said in a video message, calling the passengers "heroes" who "prevented a major disaster".

flydubai incident | 5 key points

1. Flight sends emergency alert

About 2.5 hours after leaving Dubai, Flydubai flight FZ1073 sent an emergency alert and sharply descended from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute.

2. Israel scrambles warplanes

Fearing a possible hijacking of the flight carrying dozens of Israelis, Israel scrambled warplanes as the aircraft made an erratic turn near the Jordanian border.

3. 2. Fight breaks out in cockpit

Reports then surfaced claiming that fight reportedly broke out between the two pilots. One pilot was allegedly armed with a knife and stabbed another - identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar. Both were reportedly injured in the scuffle.

4. Plane lands safely in Saudi Arabia

The Boeing 737 landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, about an hour after the distress call. The injured pilots, with the one stabbed were taken to hospital.

5. Pilot arrested, probe underway

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia had arrested the pilot who stabbed the other pilot. Authorities are investigating the incident and working to bring the passengers home.

Follow all the updates here:

Sep 30, 2026, 19:50:23 IST

flydubai incident LIVE | Here's what flydubai spokesperson said on the incident on flight FZ 1073:

An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), on 30 September.

The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for.

We have deployed two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to relieve the passengers and crew.

This incident has no impact on other scheduled operations across the flydubai network.

At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts.

Our immediate priority is to ensure the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew members involved in this incident and support the official investigation.

Sep 30, 2026, 19:29:04 IST

flydubai incident LIVE: A passenger onboard the flight to Israel that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday told AFP news agency that they have now departed Tabuk for Tel Aviv on a new plane.

The passenger told via text that the new flight had already boarded and departed.

Sep 30, 2026, 19:26:01 IST

flydubai incident LIVE: Israel defence minister says flydubai incident 'attempted jihadist terror attack', reports AFP news agency.

Sep 30, 2026, 19:23:43 IST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Saudi Arabia arrested one of the pilots who apparently tried to bring down a FlyDubai flight full of Israelis.

Netanyahu said that pilot of the flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv had planned to crash it and kill its mostly Israeli passengers, who stopped a "major disaster".

"During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board," Netanyahu said in a video message, calling the passengers "heroes" who "prevented a major disaster".