Flydubai Suspends Flights to Israel After Co-pilot Terror Plot
Airline cites failed terror plot by a co-pilot for indefinite flight suspension.
Flydubai has indefinitely suspended all flights to and from Israel following an alleged terror plot by one of its co-pilots.
The suspension comes after an incident on September 30 aboard Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Israel. The flight's Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, 29, reportedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe in the cockpit.
"Flydubai flights to and from Israel are suspended until further notice," a company spokesperson confirmed. "We remain in close coordination with the relevant authorities and regulators, and will communicate any updates regarding our flights through our official channels."
Investigators believe the attack was part of a premeditated terror plot to hijack the Boeing 737 and crash it into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport terminal, or alternatively, a nearby tower block, aiming to replicate a 9/11-style disaster. The confrontation occurred while the aircraft was at approximately 34,000 feet, causing it to descend rapidly.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to intervene and subdue the attacker. Two other qualified pilots on board took control, stabilized the aircraft, and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where an emergency landing was safely executed.
All 172 passengers and 8 crew members on board survived the incident. The suspected attacker was taken into custody, and the injured captain has since returned to the United Arab Emirates after receiving medical care.
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith expressed gratitude for the survival of everyone on board and commended the actions of the crew and passengers. "I want to express my deep gratitude to our Captain, the pilots who secured the aircraft and landed it safely, as well as our cabin crew. I extend our sincere gratitude to the passengers on board who assisted our crew during a challenging situation," Al Ghaith stated on September 30.
Al Ghaith added that the airline is fully cooperating with the ongoing official investigation led by the relevant authorities. "Safety is, and always will be, our highest priority," he said.