Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack'

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Israel-Bound Flydubai Flight Diverted After Cockpit Stabbing

   An Israel-bound flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suffered an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia following a violent cockpit struggle between pilots. Israeli officials state that passengers and crew helped thwart an attempted jihadist terror attack after a pilot allegedly stabbed a fellow crewmember with the intent to crash the plane. The aircraft experienced a sharp mid-air drop during the incident before landing safely. Passengers arrived back in Israel on Wednesday and were met by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

   Why it matters

   The emergency diversion into Saudi airspace highlights extreme security vulnerabilities on commercial routes connecting the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are probing whether the cockpit assault carried terrorist links or radicalization motives. Meanwhile, El Al is organizing schedule support to assist stranded Israeli travelers amid regional flight chaos.

   What is confirmed

   • An Israel-bound flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent incident and distress call.
   • Israeli officials stated that passengers and crew helped thwart an attempted terror attack involving a pilot stabbing a fellow cockpit crewmember.
   • The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a mid-air drop.
   • Passengers returned to Israel on Wednesday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and crash the jet in a jihadist terror attack linked to radicalization.

   What to watch next

   • Official findings from UAE and security investigators regarding the pilot's background and terrorist motives
   • El Al adjustments and global flight schedule updates for Israeli travelers
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. CNN — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after ‘violent incident’ between pilots
   2. Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
   3. WSJ — Cockpit Struggle on Israel-Bound Flight Forces Emergency Landing
   4. The Times of Israel — Expecting chaos in flight schedules, El Al preparing to help Israelis around the world get home after flydubai incident
   5. Yahoo — Pilot allegedly stabbed in attempt to crash Tel Aviv-bound plane
   6. NPR — A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverts to Saudi Arabia after making distress call
   7. People.com — Pilot Stabbed in Cockpit During ‘Violent’ Suspected Hijacking Attempt as Plane Suddenly Drops 17,000 Feet
   8. www.cbsnews.com — Dubai to Israel flight makes emergency landing, passenger says "co-pilot tried to murder the pilot" and crash jet
   9. www.aljazeera.com — UAE investigates possible ‘terrorist’ link in attack on flight to Israel
   10. eturbonews.com — Who Was the Pilot on Flydubai Flight FZ1073?
   11. www.aol.com — Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack' - AOL
   12. www.theguardian.com — Netanyahu says pilot arrested after stabbing fellow pilot and apparently trying to crash Israel-bound pla....
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