Brief

Flydubai suspends all Israel flights after failed terror plot on Flight FZ1073

The airline said the suspension will remain until authorities complete their investigation.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 18:26:24 GMT

Flydubai announced on Monday that it has suspended all flights to and from Israel "until further notice," a decision taken after a failed terror plot on its September 30 flight FZ1073, the airline’s spokesperson told The Post.

According to the report, the Boeing 737‑MAX 8 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv with 172 passengers and eight crew members when 29‑year‑old Omani co‑pilot Hamam al‑Hammami attacked captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit‑crash axe while the aircraft was cruising at about 34,000 feet. The struggle caused the plane to plunge roughly 17,000 feet in two minutes. Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to subdue the attacker. Two qualified pilots on board then took control, stabilised the jet and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

All passengers and crew survived and were accounted for after the emergency landing. The suspected attacker was taken into custody. Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith expressed relief that everyone survived and said the airline is cooperating with authorities, adding, "A full official investigation, led by the relevant authorities and fully supported by flydubai, is underway." He also reiterated that safety remains the carrier’s highest priority.

Key facts

Flydubai suspended all flights to and from Israel until further notice. (nypost.com)
On September 30, co‑pilot Hamam al‑Hammami attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an axe on Flight FZ1073. (nypost.com)
The aircraft descended about 17,000 feet before being diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. (nypost.com)
All 172 passengers and eight crew members survived and were accounted for. (nypost.com)
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said a full investigation is underway and safety remains the top priority. (nypost.com)