Flydubai co-pilot ‘assaulted’ captain before landing: Initial Saudi probe

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Flydubai Co-Pilot Assaulted Captain Before Saudi Diversion

   An Israel-bound Flydubai flight was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia following an in-flight cockpit assault. Initial investigations by Saudi authorities and the UAE Attorney General Counselor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi determined that the Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers intervened and passengers and crew restrained him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot underwent Islamic radicalization, while US President Donald Trump stated Iran will face severe consequences if linked to the incident. Both the UAE and Israel have launched parallel investigations into the attack.

   Why it matters

   The emergency landing in Saudi Arabia has exposed critical security vulnerabilities in commercial aviation, particularly on routes to and from Israel. The incident prompted the UAE to pull approval for El Al repatriation flights, forcing the cancellation of rescue flights to Dubai. Aviation experts have praised the recovery of the aircraft from an extreme deep dive during the attack as extraordinary.

   What is confirmed

   • An Israel-bound Flydubai flight was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after a brawl and assault in the cockpit.
   • Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry reported that the pilots and the suspect were returned to the UAE with an Emirati security team.
   • UAE Attorney General Counselor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the co-pilot tried to carry out a terrorist act while the aircraft was in flight.
   • Passengers intervened and helped restrain the suspect during the flight.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the Omani co-pilot went through Islamic radicalization and tried to bring down the flight in an attack that prevented another 9/11.
   • US President Donald Trump stated that Iran will be hit very hard if it is behind the co-pilot who tried to crash the flight.
   • Passengers claimed that the crew asked them to untie the suspect, but they insisted he be handed over to police.

   What to watch next

   • Findings from the parallel investigations launched by UAE and Israeli aviation authorities.
   • Decisions regarding the reinstatement of El Al repatriation and rescue flights between Israel and Dubai.
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
   2. The New York Times — Who Is the FlyDubai Pilot Being Hailed as a Hero?
   3. AP News — Attacker's identity and motive remain unknown after FlyDubai flight to Israel escapes disaster
   4. Reuters — Israel vows to get to 'root' of flydubai attack, UAE launches investigation
   5. Fox News — Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound FlyDubai 'prevented another 9/11,' Netanyahu says
   6. Axios — Netanyahu: Omani co-pilot went through Islamic radicalization
   7. cbsnews.com — What we're learning about the FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane
   8. aljazeera.com — Flydubai co-pilot ‘assaulted’ captain before landing: Initial Saudi probe
   9. The Jerusalem Post — Flydubai hijacker, wounded pilot accompanied by Emirati security team to UAE, Saudi Arabia says
   10. chicagotribune.com — President Trump says Iran will be hit ‘very hard’ if it is behind copilot who tried to crash flight to Israel
   11. The Jerusalem Post — Editor’s Notes: Flydubai crisis shows why we need another major news agency - comment
   12. Yahoo — Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 Passengers Celebrating After Hijacking -- It Shows Israeli Basketball Team From 2025
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