A report says Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly planned to crash a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight into skyscrapers in Tel Aviv. According to the report, investigators say he had researched routes to Israel and planned the attack before allegedly attempting to take control of the aircraft.


Flydubai hijack scare: Co-pilot was fired by Oman Air over extremism concerns

Australian counter-terrorism authorities have launched an investigation into Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami after reports revealed he lived and studied in Australia for two years. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team is examining his past links, timeline and activities in the country.

Australian counter-terrorism authorities launch probe

In his first public remarks since averting a mid-air catastrophe, the Indian pilot attacked by his co-pilot aboard a flight from the UAE to Israel stated he was driven by a single thought: he could not let all those people die. During a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Captain Smit Machchhar recounted how he managed to unlock the cockpit door despite severe stab wounds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will extract a heavy toll from any entity or foreign power found responsible for orchestrating the attack.

Netanyahu warns 'very heavy price' if any power behind Flydubai incident

There are moments in life when there is no time to think about what should be done. There is only time to do what one has been trained to do. That is what makes the flydubai FZ1073 incident involving Indian Captain Smit Machchhar so powerful.&nbsp;On September 30, the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers descended rapidly after an alleged confrontation in the cockpit in which Machchhar was seriously injured. Despite his injuries, the Indian captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other pilots on board to intervene. The aircraft was eventually brought under control and diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft reportedly descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.&nbsp;The story is still subject to investigation, including the motive behind the confrontation. But one fact is already clear: when a situation moved far beyond normal procedures, human courage and trained responses mattered enormously.&nbsp;Machchhar's action is particularly striking because he was not operating in comfortable circumstances. He was seriously injured, under attack and confronted with the possibility of hundreds of lives being lost. Yet, instead of surrendering to panic, he took an action that allowed others to enter the cockpit and help regain control.&nbsp;That is where the incident becomes a lesson for global civilisation.<h2>A Hero Recognised Across Borders</h2>&nbsp;The extraordinary response to Machchhar's actions has crossed national boundaries.Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Captain Machchhar a “HERO”, saying that despite being seriously injured, he showed “immense courage” and an “unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others”. Modi said his valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy, adding that India was proud of him and praying for his recovery.&nbsp;President Droupadi Murmu similarly praised his “heroic courage and incredible presence of mind”. She said that even after being seriously injured in a moment of grave peril, Machchhar remained determined to protect others, and that his bravery and quick response helped prevent a major tragedy. She concluded: “I salute his indomitable spirit.”&nbsp;US President Donald Trump also described Machchhar as a hero while discussing the incident. Trump said that despite being in very bad shape, the pilot's decision to open the cockpit door was heroic and enabled others to intervene.&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar a “true hero”, noting that the captain fought back, resisted the attack and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and preventing what Netanyahu described as a catastrophic mid-air disaster.The significance of these tributes lies not merely in the word “hero”. Four leaders from different countries and institutions recognised the same qualities: courage under extreme pressure, presence of mind and an instinct to protect human life.&nbsp;Modern civilisation often celebrates technology. We speak about artificial intelligence, automation, autonomous vehicles and increasingly sophisticated aircraft. But when systems fail or circumstances become unpredictable, technology still depends upon the quality of human judgement.&nbsp;A trained mind does not necessarily eliminate fear. It learns how to function despite fear.Aviation has repeatedly demonstrated this.&nbsp;<h2>Hudson River: When an Airliner Became a Boat</h2>&nbsp;On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 lost almost all thrust in both engines after hitting birds shortly after take-off from New York. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles landed the Airbus A320 on the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard survived, although several people suffered serious injuries. The US National Transportation Safety Board documented the complete loss of thrust and subsequent ditching.&nbsp;The event became a lasting example of how training, judgement and teamwork can compress years of aviation experience into a few critical minutes.<h2>Gimli Glider: Flying Without Fuel</h2>&nbsp;Then there was Air Canada Flight 143 — the famous Gimli Glider — in 1983.The Boeing 767 ran out of fuel at 41,000 feet. Captain Robert Pearson's experience with gliding became crucial. With the engines gone and limited systems available, the crew used extraordinary airmanship to bring the aircraft down safely at a former air force base.&nbsp;There were no deaths or serious injuries.&nbsp;<h2>British Airways 9: Four Engines Go Silent</h2>&nbsp;In 1982, British Airways Flight 9 flew through volcanic ash from Mount Galunggung.All four engines of the Boeing 747 failed at cruising altitude. Captain Eric Moody calmly managed the aircraft as a glider until the engines could be restarted. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Jakarta, with everyone aboard surviving.&nbsp;The episode demonstrated the value of calm decision-making when an apparently impossible situation develops thousands of feet above the ground.&nbsp;<h2>Air Transat 236: The Atlantic Glide</h2>&nbsp;In 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 lost both engines over the Atlantic after exhausting its fuel.Captain Robert Piché and First Officer Dirk DeJager glided the Airbus A330 toward the Azores and landed at Lajes. All 291 passengers and 13 crew survived.&nbsp;It was another reminder that when propulsion disappears, training and airmanship become the aircraft's most important remaining assets.&nbsp;<h2>Qantas 32: 50 Minutes of Relentless Decision-Making</h2>&nbsp;In 2010, Qantas Flight 32 suffered an uncontained engine failure shortly after take-off, causing extensive damage and multiple system failures on an Airbus A380 carrying 469 people.&nbsp;The crew spent about 50 minutes assessing the aircraft, managing cascading problems and preparing for the landing. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Singapore, with no reported injuries among passengers or crew.&nbsp;These five episodes are different in their causes, aircraft and circumstances. Yet they share one common thread: the crisis was bigger than any individual pilot, but the response depended upon individuals who refused to lose control of themselves.&nbsp;That is the real lesson of Smit Machchhar.&nbsp;Heroism is often portrayed as a sudden burst of extraordinary bravery. Aviation suggests something more profound. Heroism can be the outcome of thousands of hours of ordinary discipline — training repeatedly performed until the correct response becomes instinctive.&nbsp;A pilot does not train only to fly when everything is normal. Training exists for the abnormal: fire, engine failure, loss of control, medical emergencies, communication breakdowns and situations that may never have been imagined.&nbsp;The same principle applies far beyond the cockpit.&nbsp;A doctor in an emergency room, a firefighter entering a burning building, a soldier under attack, a rescue worker during a disaster or an ordinary citizen helping another person in danger may face the same psychological battle: fear versus responsibility.&nbsp;The trained mind does not always choose courage because courage feels easy. It chooses action because responsibility has become stronger than fear.&nbsp;Captain Machchhar's story therefore belongs not merely to India or to aviation. It belongs to a larger human narrative — a reminder that civilisation survives not only because of its machines, but because people are prepared to protect other human beings when machines and circumstances fail.&nbsp;The most powerful lesson from the flydubai cockpit may therefore be simple: Train the mind before the crisis arrives. Because when the moment comes, there may be no time left to learn how to be brave. &nbsp;

Machchhar's action is particularly striking because he was not operating in comfortable circumstances. He was seriously injured, under attack and confronted with the possibility of hundreds of lives being lost. 

There are moments in life when there is no time to think about what should be done. There is only time to do what one has been trained to do. That is what makes the flydubai FZ1073 incident involving Indian Captain Smit Machchhar so powerful. On September 30, the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers descended rapidly after an alleged confrontation in the cockpit in which Machchhar was seriously injured. Despite his injuries, the Indian captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other pilots on board to intervene. The aircraft was eventually brought under control and diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft reportedly descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The story is still subject to investigation, including the motive behind the confrontation. But one fact is already clear: when a situation moved far beyond normal procedures, human courage and trained responses mattered enormously. Machchhar's action is particularly striking because he was not operating in comfortable circumstances. He was seriously injured, under attack and confronted with the possibility of hundreds of lives being lost. Yet, instead of surrendering to panic, he took an action that allowed others to enter the cockpit and help regain control. That is where the incident becomes a lesson for global civilisation. A Hero Recognised Across Borders The extraordinary response to Machchhar's actions has crossed national boundaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Captain Machchhar a “HERO”, saying that despite being seriously injured, he showed “immense courage” and an “unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others”. Modi said his valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy, adding that India was proud of him and praying for his recovery. President Droupadi Murmu similarly praised his “heroic courage and incredible presence of mind”. She said that even after being seriously injured in a moment of grave peril, Machchhar remained determined to protect others, and that his bravery and quick response helped prevent a major tragedy. She concluded: “I salute his indomitable spirit.” US President Donald Trump also described Machchhar as a hero while discussing the incident. Trump said that despite being in very bad shape, the pilot's decision to open the cockpit door was heroic and enabled others to intervene. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar a “true hero”, noting that the captain fought back, resisted the attack and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and preventing what Netanyahu described as a catastrophic mid-air disaster. The significance of these tributes lies not merely in the word “hero”. Four leaders from different countries and institutions recognised the same qualities: courage under extreme pressure, presence of mind and an instinct to protect human life. Modern civilisation often celebrates technology. We speak about artificial intelligence, automation, autonomous vehicles and increasingly sophisticated aircraft. But when systems fail or circumstances become unpredictable, technology still depends upon the quality of human judgement. A trained mind does not necessarily eliminate fear. It learns how to function despite fear. Aviation has repeatedly demonstrated this. Hudson River: When an Airliner Became a Boat On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 lost almost all thrust in both engines after hitting birds shortly after take-off from New York. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles landed the Airbus A320 on the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard survived, although several people suffered serious injuries. The US National Transportation Safety Board documented the complete loss of thrust and subsequent ditching. The event became a lasting example of how training, judgement and teamwork can compress years of aviation experience into a few critical minutes. Gimli Glider: Flying Without Fuel Then there was Air Canada Flight 143 — the famous Gimli Glider — in 1983. The Boeing 767 ran out of fuel at 41,000 feet. Captain Robert Pearson's experience with gliding became crucial. With the engines gone and limited systems available, the crew used extraordinary airmanship to bring the aircraft down safely at a former air force base. There were no deaths or serious injuries. British Airways 9: Four Engines Go Silent In 1982, British Airways Flight 9 flew through volcanic ash from Mount Galunggung. All four engines of the Boeing 747 failed at cruising altitude. Captain Eric Moody calmly managed the aircraft as a glider until the engines could be restarted. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Jakarta, with everyone aboard surviving. The episode demonstrated the value of calm decision-making when an apparently impossible situation develops thousands of feet above the ground. Air Transat 236: The Atlantic Glide In 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 lost both engines over the Atlantic after exhausting its fuel. Captain Robert Piché and First Officer Dirk DeJager glided the Airbus A330 toward the Azores and landed at Lajes. All 291 passengers and 13 crew survived. It was another reminder that when propulsion disappears, training and airmanship become the aircraft's most important remaining assets. Qantas 32: 50 Minutes of Relentless Decision-Making In 2010, Qantas Flight 32 suffered an uncontained engine failure shortly after take-off, causing extensive damage and multiple system failures on an Airbus A380 carrying 469 people. The crew spent about 50 minutes assessing the aircraft, managing cascading problems and preparing for the landing. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Singapore, with no reported injuries among passengers or crew. These five episodes are different in their causes, aircraft and circumstances. Yet they share one common thread: the crisis was bigger than any individual pilot, but the response depended upon individuals who refused to lose control of themselves. That is the real lesson of Smit Machchhar. Heroism is often portrayed as a sudden burst of extraordinary bravery. Aviation suggests something more profound. Heroism can be the outcome of thousands of hours of ordinary discipline — training repeatedly performed until the correct response becomes instinctive. A pilot does not train only to fly when everything is normal. Training exists for the abnormal: fire, engine failure, loss of control, medical emergencies, communication breakdowns and situations that may never have been imagined. The same principle applies far beyond the cockpit. A doctor in an emergency room, a firefighter entering a burning building, a soldier under attack, a rescue worker during a disaster or an ordinary citizen helping another person in danger may face the same psychological battle: fear versus responsibility. The trained mind does not always choose courage because courage feels easy. It chooses action because responsibility has become stronger than fear. Captain Machchhar's story therefore belongs not merely to India or to aviation. It belongs to a larger human narrative — a reminder that civilisation survives not only because of its machines, but because people are prepared to protect other human beings when machines and circumstances fail. The most powerful lesson from the flydubai cockpit may therefore be simple: Train the mind before the crisis arrives. Because when the moment comes, there may be no time left to learn how to be brave.

Machchhar's action is particularly striking because he was not operating in comfortable circumstances. He was seriously injured, under attack and confronted with the possibility of hundreds of lives being lost.&nbsp;

What Smit Machchhar, aviation tragedies teach us about crisis management | Explained

The UAE said it was investigating a possible “terrorist” link to an apparent pilot attack aboard a flight bound for Israel. Passengers reportedly helped prevent the plane from crashing and rerouted the aircraft to safety.

Israel's foreign ministry described incident as 'attempted terror attack' 

Yaniv Hayoun, the Israeli plumber who was among the passengers who helped thwart the hijacking of the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30), said that he learned to fly the plane from a TV show. Hayoun told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he took control of the flight controls to prevent the plane from crashing after the co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to hijack the flight.After landing in Tel Aviv, Yaniv detailed what happened inside the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the plane with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots. Despite being severely injured, Machchhar managed to open the door of the cockpit, which allowed passengers to overpower the Omani pilot.<h2>What did Yaniv tell Netanyahu</h2>“We pinned him down to keep him secure and then I jumped into it (the cockpit) and pulled the controls,” Yaniv told the Israeli prime minister.Incredulously, Netanyahu asked how Yaniv knew how to pull the controls backwards. To this, he replied, “I watch Air Crash Investigations Mr Prime Minister.”Yaniv added that the plane began to level after he gripped the controls briefly and an off-duty pilot told him that he would take it from there.Detailing how he helped overpower the co-pilot, Yaniv said, “I pushed the door; the pilot who was stabbed was simply very close to the door, so it was hard for us to open. We pulled him out – it was a matter of seconds.”Netanyahu praised Yaniv for his “tremendous resourcefulness”. US President Donald Trump also praised Yaniv’s “amazing” actions. Following the hijacking scare, photos showed Yaniv in a bloodied T-shirt.Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday (Oct 1) said that he would present “heroism” awards to five Israelis who helped overpower the co-pilot and prevented him from crashing the plane.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FLYDUBAI HERO YONIV RECOUNTS HOW HE STOPPED THE DIVE Yoniv, who reportedly rushed into the cockpit during the Flydubai incident, told Israeli PM Netanyahu: “I pulled the throttles and stopped the dive. I see ‘flight under investigation.’” <a href="https://t.co/87o8cxw9n6">pic.twitter.com/87o8cxw9n6</a>&mdash; Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) <a href="https://x.com/kumarsubodh_/status/2105346315207295181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What happened on Flydubai flight?</h2>A major hijacking attempt was foiled on a Flydubai flight, carrying 174 passengers, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday (Sep 30). The situation onboard turned chaotic when the Omani co-pilot attempted to murder Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. Machchhar bravely fought with his co-pilot and managed to open the cockpit door despite battling severe wounds and blood loss.Once the cockpit door was open, passengers rushed in and overpowered the co-pilot, restraining him. A dentist on the flight tended to Machchhar’s injuries and stabilised him. Two off-duty pilots, who were among the passengers, took control of the flight and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.From there, the Israeli passengers were sent on another flight, also operated by Flydubai, to their intended destination in Tel Aviv. No other crew members or passengers were injured in the incident. Machchhar underwent surgery in Saudi Arabia after landing. He was airlifted to the UAE on Thursday (Oct 1).&nbsp;

An Israeli plumber who helped foil the Flydubai hijacking told PM Netanyahu he learned to handle the aircraft controls from a TV show as passengers fought to save the flight.

Yaniv Hayoun, the Israeli plumber who was among the passengers who helped thwart the hijacking of the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30), said that he learned to fly the plane from a TV show. Hayoun told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he took control of the flight controls to prevent the plane from crashing after the co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to hijack the flight. After landing in Tel Aviv, Yaniv detailed what happened inside the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the plane with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots. Despite being severely injured, Machchhar managed to open the door of the cockpit, which allowed passengers to overpower the Omani pilot. What did Yaniv tell Netanyahu “We pinned him down to keep him secure and then I jumped into it (the cockpit) and pulled the controls,” Yaniv told the Israeli prime minister. Incredulously, Netanyahu asked how Yaniv knew how to pull the controls backwards. To this, he replied, “I watch Air Crash Investigations Mr Prime Minister.” Yaniv added that the plane began to level after he gripped the controls briefly and an off-duty pilot told him that he would take it from there. Detailing how he helped overpower the co-pilot, Yaniv said, “I pushed the door; the pilot who was stabbed was simply very close to the door, so it was hard for us to open. We pulled him out – it was a matter of seconds.” Netanyahu praised Yaniv for his “tremendous resourcefulness”. US President Donald Trump also praised Yaniv’s “amazing” actions. Following the hijacking scare, photos showed Yaniv in a bloodied T-shirt. Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday (Oct 1) said that he would present “heroism” awards to five Israelis who helped overpower the co-pilot and prevented him from crashing the plane.

An Israeli plumber who helped foil the Flydubai hijacking told PM Netanyahu he learned to handle the aircraft controls from a TV show as passengers fought to save the flight.

‘I watch Air Crash Investigations’: How Israeli plumber briefly took control of Flydubai flight amid hijack scare

After the security incident involving flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, flydubai on Wednesday said it suspended all flights to and from Israel. The suspension made in coordination with the relevant authorities will remain in place until the investigation is not completed. The decision will be reviewed by the airline “as more information becomes available”, said a flydubai spokesperson.&nbsp;“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority," the spokesperson said and added, “This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident.”&nbsp;The carrier said it is fully supporting the investigation and is in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders in this regard.&nbsp;“We apologise to passengers whose travel plans have been affected and are working to provide support and alternative arrangements where possible,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;<h2>What happened on the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv</h2>&nbsp;On September 30, the Flydubai flight FZ1073 was on its way to Israeli capital Tel Aviv from Dubai with roughly 150 to 180 passengers when it experienced a violent, rapid dive, plunging between 14,000 and 17,000 feet in under two minutes. This happened when Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the plane.&nbsp;As the aircraft plunged, flydubai Flight FZ1073, the aircraft's cockpit transponder sent code 7500, the universal aviation signal for an unlawful interference or hijacking. This alerted neighboring air traffic sectors, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, that the aircraft’s command systems were actively compromised. Despite suffering injuries, Indian pilot managed to unlock the cockpit door.&nbsp;A passenger identified as Yaniv Hayun, alongside others, overpowered and restrained the co-pilot. A reserve crew consisting of a second pair of flydubai pilots who happened to be traveling aboard the flight took control of the aircraft. They safely diverted and landed the plane at Tabuk Regional Airport (TUU) in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

The carrier said it is fully supporting the investigation and is in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders in this regard.

After the security incident involving flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, flydubai on Wednesday said it suspended all flights to and from Israel. The suspension made in coordination with the relevant authorities will remain in place until the investigation is not completed. The decision will be reviewed by the airline “as more information becomes available”, said a flydubai spokesperson. “The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and operations remain our highest priority," the spokesperson said and added, “This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident.” The carrier said it is fully supporting the investigation and is in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders in this regard. “We apologise to passengers whose travel plans have been affected and are working to provide support and alternative arrangements where possible,” the spokesperson said. What happened on the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv On September 30, the Flydubai flight FZ1073 was on its way to Israeli capital Tel Aviv from Dubai with roughly 150 to 180 passengers when it experienced a violent, rapid dive, plunging between 14,000 and 17,000 feet in under two minutes. This happened when Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the plane. As the aircraft plunged, flydubai Flight FZ1073, the aircraft's cockpit transponder sent code 7500, the universal aviation signal for an unlawful interference or hijacking. This alerted neighboring air traffic sectors, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, that the aircraft’s command systems were actively compromised. Despite suffering injuries, Indian pilot managed to unlock the cockpit door. A passenger identified as Yaniv Hayun, alongside others, overpowered and restrained the co-pilot. A reserve crew consisting of a second pair of flydubai pilots who happened to be traveling aboard the flight took control of the aircraft. They safely diverted and landed the plane at Tabuk Regional Airport (TUU) in Saudi Arabia.

The carrier said it is fully supporting the investigation and is in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders in this regard.

Flydubai cockpit attack: Airline suspends all Israel flights amid investigation

A Flydubai flight was reportedly diverted to Saudi Arabia following an attack-related incident, adding to concerns over flight safety and regional security. The aircraft was diverted as authorities responded to the situation and assessed the security threat.


FlyDubai hijack scare: Netanyahu salutes Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after Flydubai incident 

Captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as the Indian pilot who fended off the Omani pilot who attempted to hijack the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30). Chaos erupted in the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots, and Machchhar was stabbed. Passengers told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after landing in Tel Aviv that the stabbed captain managed to open the cockpit door that allowed passengers to get in and interfere. The co-pilot was then restrained by the passengers. Two other pilots who were travelling on the flight as passengers took control of the flight and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Machchhar underwent surgery after being injured in the incident.<h2>Who is Smit Machchhar?</h2>Smit Machchhar, an Indian aviation professional and former SpiceJet commander, was serving as captain on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has more than 13 years of experience and over 9,750 flying hours across Boeing 737 aircraft, including the B737-800 and B737 MAX 8/9.Machchhar has been working for Flydubai as a captain since June 2022. Before this, he worked for 11 years with SpiceJet, where he was a senior commander. He has also served as a Line Training Captain and is skilled in mentoring and assessing pilots.The Indian pilot completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Welingkar Institute of Management.<h2>What happened on Flydubai flight?</h2>According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and restrained the pilot, who stabbed Machchhar. Two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Omani pilot was arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.

Indian captain Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander with nearly 9,750 flying hours, helped bring a Flydubai flight safely to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit emergency.

Captain Smit Machchhar has been identified as the Indian pilot who fended off the Omani pilot who attempted to hijack the Flydubai flight on Wednesday (Sep 30). Chaos erupted in the cockpit of flight FZ 1073 when the Omani pilot tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. An altercation broke out between the two pilots, and Machchhar was stabbed. Passengers told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after landing in Tel Aviv that the stabbed captain managed to open the cockpit door that allowed passengers to get in and interfere. The co-pilot was then restrained by the passengers. Two other pilots who were travelling on the flight as passengers took control of the flight and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Machchhar underwent surgery after being injured in the incident. Who is Smit Machchhar? Smit Machchhar, an Indian aviation professional and former SpiceJet commander, was serving as captain on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has more than 13 years of experience and over 9,750 flying hours across Boeing 737 aircraft, including the B737-800 and B737 MAX 8/9. Machchhar has been working for Flydubai as a captain since June 2022. Before this, he worked for 11 years with SpiceJet, where he was a senior commander. He has also served as a Line Training Captain and is skilled in mentoring and assessing pilots. The Indian pilot completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Welingkar Institute of Management. What happened on Flydubai flight? According to the passengers’ account, an altercation broke out between the pilots, which turned violent. One of the pilots stabbed his co-pilot in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane with the intention of killing everyone on board. During the altercation, the plane suddenly plunged several feet, from nearly 34,000 feet to less than 17,000 feet. Passengers intervened and restrained the pilot, who stabbed Machchhar. Two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Omani pilot was arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities. The plane also sent distress signal 7700, a general international emergency signal. It also briefly sent the code 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference, before it went back to the original distress code.

Indian captain Smit Machchhar, a former SpiceJet commander with nearly 9,750 flying hours, helped bring a Flydubai flight safely to Saudi Arabia after a cockpit emergency.

Who is Capt. Smit Machchhar, Indian pilot who helped avert Flydubai disaster?

A passenger detailed what happened aboard the Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. The Boeing 737 MAX was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the situation turned scary mid-flight. Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The plane’s captain and co-pilot both sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. The pilot who stabbed his co-pilot has been arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.<h2>What happened on Flydubai flight?</h2>According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv.“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT.“It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added.“There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Footage taken by a passenger aboard the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv after the plane took a rapid plunge. <a href="https://t.co/O3vd5644pL">pic.twitter.com/O3vd5644pL</a>&mdash; Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) <a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2105249818721374414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The low-cost carrier had earlier said flight FZ 1073 “experienced an incident while en route. The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport (TUU) and all passengers are safe and accounted for”.Earlier, Ohayon's mother, Yasmin Abukasis, told AFP that her daughter called her from Saudi Arabia: “She said one pilot tried to kill the other pilot with a knife. They heard shouting.” She added that another passenger went to the cockpit “and saw a lot of blood. She started screaming ‘come help’ and some people went in and caught the guy.”“All the while, the plane started going down very fast. People thought they were going to die,” she added.After landing in Saudi Arabia, an Israeli passenger aboard the flight said that the passengers “were very welcomed” in Saudi Arabia.<h2>Altercation between pilots</h2>According to Israeli media reports, a fight broke out between the pilots, which reportedly triggered a distress signal to be activated.&nbsp;Squawk code 7700, a general international emergency signal, was initially transmitted before switching to 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference. The plane later went back to the original distress code.The reports added that passengers on board stepped in to separate the two pilots. Media reports showed photos of a passenger with a bloodied T-shirt.According to reports, two other pilots were among the passengers, who then took over the controls and carried out the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the videos or the claims.

Passengers described a terrifying Flydubai flight after one pilot allegedly attacked the other and tried to crash the plane, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

A passenger detailed what happened aboard the Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it. The Boeing 737 MAX was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the situation turned scary mid-flight. Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” attack. The plane’s captain and co-pilot both sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital. The pilot who stabbed his co-pilot has been arrested and is being interrogated by the Saudi authorities. What happened on Flydubai flight? According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened, as the plane was flying over Jordan on its path from Dubai to Tel Aviv. “The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT. “It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added. “There was also a doctor who gave first aid, and people who treated both of them. Other than the pilot, there were no injuries, but the bigger fear was really a crash, which is exactly what he was trying to do,” the passenger said.

Passengers described a terrifying Flydubai flight after one pilot allegedly attacked the other and tried to crash the plane, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

What happened on Flydubai flight to Israel? Passenger recounts chilling details

Following a hijacking scare aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, one of the pilots tried to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it. He also attacked the other pilot. Following the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX safely landed in Saudi Arabia. A video taken by a passenger aboard the plane emerged on social media, showing people clapping and cheering as the flight landed.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Moment the FLYDUBAI plane landed in Saudi Arabia safely <a href="https://t.co/yDPuXgNlWb">pic.twitter.com/yDPuXgNlWb</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://x.com/Osint613/status/2105228407525224470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to a statement from the company operating the airport, the Flydubai plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk “at 9:45 am (0645 GMT), and its captain and copilot were found to have injuries and were transported to hospital”.

<h2>What happened on Flydubai flight?</h2>According to an AFP report, citing a passenger on board the flight, one of the pilots attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane to carry out a “suicide attack”. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing happened over Jordan.&nbsp;“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she told reporters via a speakerphone held up by her mother at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.Flightradar website data showed that the aircraft suddenly lost altitude mid-flight, dropping from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet at 0522 GMT.“It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” she added.<h2>‘Terrorist’ wanted to crash plane</h2>Israel’s far-right national security minister said that the emergency landing of the Tel Aviv-bound plane was due to a “terrorist” who wanted to crash the plane and kill Israelis onboard.“The naive notion that our enemies cherish life and that we should pity them received another reminder this morning in the form of a terrorist who planned to crash a plane and murder the 180 Israelis on board,” Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement.Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the videos or the claims.

Passengers erupted in cheers and applause as a Flydubai plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia after a hijack scare on board, with footage capturing the tense moment turning into relief.

Following a hijacking scare aboard a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday (Sep 30), the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, one of the pilots tried to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it. He also attacked the other pilot. Following the chaos on board, the Boeing 737 MAX safely landed in Saudi Arabia. A video taken by a passenger aboard the plane emerged on social media, showing people clapping and cheering as the flight landed.

Passengers erupted in cheers and applause as a Flydubai plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia after a hijack scare on board, with footage capturing the tense moment turning into relief.

WATCH | Passengers clap, cheer as Flydubai plane lands in Saudi after hijack scare

A Flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Israel had a major scare when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it, an Israeli official said. He attacked the other pilot, after which the plane started dipping steeply. Squawk code 7700, a general international emergency signal, was initially transmitted before switching to 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference. The plane later went back to the original distress code.&nbsp;Following the mayhem on board, the Boeing 737 MAX made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post a "major disaster was narrowly avoided" as passengers managed to subdue the pilot. The scale of the incident reportedly led Israel to scramble warplanes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz met urgently to discuss the situation. The Israeli airspace was also temporarily closed.<h2>Reports on the pilot altercation&nbsp;</h2>A terror angle is also being probed. The Jerusalem Post reported, citing Hebrew media, that the copilot was Omani and is being investigated by Saudi authorities. He allegedly stabbed the captain, who was an Emirati, and attempted to crash the plane.

According to Israeli media, the two pilots had an altercation in the cockpit which turned violent. Israel's i24NEWS initially reported that the main pilot was Russian and the co-pilot was from Ukraine. However, later reports claim that the captain is Emirati, while the co-pilot is from Oman. The off-duty pilots who subdued the pilot are said to be Russian and Ukrainian and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;Reports claim that a stabbing incident occurred between the pilots, although this angle is still being examined. Passengers told Israeli media that one of the pilots had been stabbed with a pocket knife. Authorities are also investigating whether the pilot attempted to crash the plane, as claimed in some reports.<h2>What passengers on board Flydubai said</h2> Meanwhile, a photo on social media shows a passenger's white shirt drenched in blood. Passengers told Israel's Channel 12 that they heard those seated towards the front screaming. "Screams began on the plane… by passengers who realised what was happening," a woman told the outlet. The plane started dipping steeply. "We were either going to crash or be murdered. It was like a terrorist attack in mid-air," one passenger said.&nbsp;Graphic image. Viewer discretion advised&nbsp;Photo of a passenger reportedly from the Flydubai flight&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Photos are circulating reportedly of a passenger who, along with other passengers, managed to subdue one of the pilots on board Flydubai flight FZ1073. An Israeli official said there was suspicion that one pilot may have tried to crash the aircraft before the other pilot, with… <a href="https://t.co/hS08XIM8Lf">pic.twitter.com/hS08XIM8Lf</a>&mdash; Breaking Aviation News &amp; Videos (@aviationbrk) <a href="https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/2105212734891520399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another passenger said, "We heard screams on the plane. Then they opened the cockpit, and we saw blood, and someone had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife." She said the crew and other passengers restrained an attacker, adding they thought they "weren’t going to make it out alive.""We understand that one of the pilots was stabbed and seriously wounded, and they lost control of the plane. It started to dive quickly. It was very scary," a woman named Noam said.&nbsp;<h2>Hijack emergency code was briefly transmitted over Saudi Arabia&nbsp;</h2>After the squawk code 7700, the plane made a U-turn over the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border. Over Saudi Arabia, it issued a code 7500, meaning a hijacking or unlawful interference. This triggered a hijacking scare on the ground. The plane dropped from 34,000 to around 17,000 feet in under a minute after being in the air for two hours and fifteen minutes.&nbsp;It recovered to 21,650 feet, but again dropped sharply to under 14,000 feet. The Times of Israel reported that the plane remained at around 15,000 feet for the next hour, at which point it was likely being controlled by hand rather than autopilot. Authorities also lost contact with the plane. Fearing a hijacking, Israel scrambled warplanes, an official told the outlet. The Boeing 737 MAX with 180 passengers onboard finally landed in Tabuk, a civilian and military base in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Flydubai hijacking scare: Two pilots had a violent altercation mid-air, with passengers claiming one of them was stabbed inside the cockpit. The plane dipped sharply from 21,650 feet to 14,000 feet. Later, a hijacking emergency signal was transmitted over Saudi Arabia.

A Flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Israel had a major scare when one of the pilots tried to hijack the flight with the intention of crashing it, an Israeli official said. He attacked the other pilot, after which the plane started dipping steeply. Squawk code 7700, a general international emergency signal, was initially transmitted before switching to 7500, which signals hijacking and unlawful interference. The plane later went back to the original distress code. Following the mayhem on board, the Boeing 737 MAX made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post a "major disaster was narrowly avoided" as passengers managed to subdue the pilot. The scale of the incident reportedly led Israel to scramble warplanes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz met urgently to discuss the situation. The Israeli airspace was also temporarily closed. Reports on the pilot altercation A terror angle is also being probed. The Jerusalem Post reported, citing Hebrew media, that the copilot was Omani and is being investigated by Saudi authorities. He allegedly stabbed the captain, who was an Emirati, and attempted to crash the plane.

Flydubai hijacking scare: Two pilots had a violent altercation mid-air, with passengers claiming one of them was stabbed inside the cockpit. The plane dipped sharply from 21,650 feet to 14,000 feet. Later, a hijacking emergency signal was transmitted over Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai hijacking scare: Pilot altercation, two signals, steep plunge, stabbing claims - What we know

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a ‘violent incident’ involving two pilots, sources told CNN. The aircraft descended 17,400 feet, from 34,000 feet to around 16,600 feet, over northwestern Saudi Arabia in just over two minutes at around 1:20 am ET, according to flight-tracking data reviewed by CNN. The plane transmitted an emergency signal at 1:32 am ET before landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia shortly before 3 am ET. As per reports, the pilot of the plane was Russian and the co-pilot was Ukrainian&nbsp;A Flydubai spokesperson said flight FZ 1073 experienced an incident while en route and landed at Tabuk Airport. The airline said all passengers were safe and accounted for. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the situation was under control and that all measures are now being taken to safely return the Israeli passengers to Israel. An Israeli official said the incident was not a hijacking, adding that authorities understood it to be an internal personnel incident onboard the aircraft. As per an unnamed official, the copilot is being investigated amid growing hints that he tried to take over the plane in order to crash it. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-tel-aviv-flight-declares-emergency-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-hijacking-ruled-out-1790751914024">Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight declares emergency, diverted to Saudi Arabia; hijacking ruled out</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It gets better: The pilot of the plane is Russian and the co-pilot is Ukrainian, according to various reports. <a href="https://t.co/HkUExAC3rk">https://t.co/HkUExAC3rk</a>&mdash; Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) <a href="https://x.com/ariel_oseran/status/2105195521363320889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation following the incident. Israeli fighter jets were also scrambled after the emergency signal was sent, an Israeli military spokesperson told CNN. The emergency landing in Tabuk resulted in a rare mass arrival of Israeli passengers in Saudi Arabia, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to Israel-bound flights and Israeli airlines in 2022 as part of a US-brokered push towards normalisation. However, Riyadh has maintained that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Prime Minister&#39;s Office announcement: Following concerns over an aviation incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations on the matter and is monitoring developments. The incident is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the…&mdash; Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2105203336030933206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: Israeli media reports the pilot who tried to crash the plane is an Omani national&mdash; Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) <a href="https://x.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/2105219368850542654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Disclaimer</h2>WION cannot independently verify the social media claims.

Flydubai flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a “violent incident” involving two pilots. All passengers were safe

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a ‘violent incident’ involving two pilots, sources told CNN. The aircraft descended 17,400 feet, from 34,000 feet to around 16,600 feet, over northwestern Saudi Arabia in just over two minutes at around 1:20 am ET, according to flight-tracking data reviewed by CNN. The plane transmitted an emergency signal at 1:32 am ET before landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia shortly before 3 am ET. As per reports, the pilot of the plane was Russian and the co-pilot was Ukrainian A Flydubai spokesperson said flight FZ 1073 experienced an incident while en route and landed at Tabuk Airport. The airline said all passengers were safe and accounted for. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the situation was under control and that all measures are now being taken to safely return the Israeli passengers to Israel. An Israeli official said the incident was not a hijacking, adding that authorities understood it to be an internal personnel incident onboard the aircraft. As per an unnamed official, the copilot is being investigated amid growing hints that he tried to take over the plane in order to crash it. Also Read: Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight declares emergency, diverted to Saudi Arabia; hijacking ruled out

Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a ‘violent altercation’ involving two pilots. All passengers were safe

Sky-high 'war': Did a Ukrainian and a Russian pilot take matters literally into their own hands on Flydubai flight? What reports say

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv declared an emergency while flying over northern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and diverted toward Saudi territory, according to flight-tracking data. The aircraft, identified as flydubai flight FZ1073, had been heading toward Israel when its flight path changed over northern Saudi Arabia. Tracking data showed the plane turning away from Tel Aviv and later heading toward Tabuk. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, according to The Times of Israel. Israeli security sources said that hijacking has been ruled out. Earlier reports said Israeli Air Force fighter jets had been scrambled toward the aircraft as authorities assessed the situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz were also reported to have held emergency consultations. The aircraft was carrying around 180 passengers, according to reports.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-could-collapse-like-soviet-union-cia-chief-john-ratcliffe-s-warning-to-moscow-revealed-1790748373647">Russia could collapse like Soviet Union? CIA chief John Ratcliffe's warning to Moscow revealed</a><h2>Flydubai plane emergency: What Flightradar24 data showed</h2>Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code for a general emergency. The tracking data also showed significant changes in the aircraft’s flight parameters before it turned around. The plane descended sharply, while its ground speed fluctuated before the aircraft changed course.&nbsp;Following the diversion, the aircraft was flying at a relatively low altitude of around 15,000 feet, according to tracking data. Some flight trackers also indicated that the aircraft may have briefly transmitted 7500, the transponder code associated with unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. That detail was initially unconfirmed. Later reports indicated that the 7500 code was cancelled. Israeli security sources cited by The Times of Israel said the emergency appeared to have resulted from an altercation between the pilots, rather than a hijacking.&nbsp;A Middle East correspondent also reported that the aircraft had landed safely in Saudi Arabia. “The assessment in Israel is that the emergency signal on the plane was activated during a violent altercation between the pilots in the cockpit, and not due to a hijacking," he posted. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.<h2>Statement from Flydubai</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">flydubai official statement: flydubai can confirm that flight FZ 1073 operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on 30 September experienced an incident while en route. The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk (TUU) and all passengers are… <a href="https://t.co/YPGUAhxcyJ">https://t.co/YPGUAhxcyJ</a>&mdash; Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) <a href="https://x.com/ariel_oseran/status/2105203221497028745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv declares emergency over Saudi Arabia, triggers security response and diverts to Tabuk after reported pilot altercation

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv declared an emergency while flying over northern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and diverted toward Saudi territory, according to flight-tracking data. The aircraft, identified as flydubai flight FZ1073, had been heading toward Israel when its flight path changed over northern Saudi Arabia. Tracking data showed the plane turning away from Tel Aviv and later heading toward Tabuk. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, according to The Times of Israel. Israeli security sources said that hijacking has been ruled out. Earlier reports said Israeli Air Force fighter jets had been scrambled toward the aircraft as authorities assessed the situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz were also reported to have held emergency consultations. The aircraft was carrying around 180 passengers, according to reports. Also Read: Russia could collapse like Soviet Union? CIA chief John Ratcliffe's warning to Moscow revealed Flydubai plane emergency: What Flightradar24 data showed Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code for a general emergency. The tracking data also showed significant changes in the aircraft’s flight parameters before it turned around. The plane descended sharply, while its ground speed fluctuated before the aircraft changed course. Following the diversion, the aircraft was flying at a relatively low altitude of around 15,000 feet, according to tracking data. Some flight trackers also indicated that the aircraft may have briefly transmitted 7500, the transponder code associated with unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. That detail was initially unconfirmed. Later reports indicated that the 7500 code was cancelled. Israeli security sources cited by The Times of Israel said the emergency appeared to have resulted from an altercation between the pilots, rather than a hijacking. A Middle East correspondent also reported that the aircraft had landed safely in Saudi Arabia. “The assessment in Israel is that the emergency signal on the plane was activated during a violent altercation between the pilots in the cockpit, and not due to a hijacking," he posted. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Statement from Flydubai

Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv declared an emergency over Saudi Arabia, diverted to Tabuk and landed safely after a reported cockpit altercation

Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight declares emergency, diverted to Saudi Arabia; hijacking ruled out

Amid reports of a FlyDubai airline's plane catching fire mid-air after taking off from&nbsp;Kathmandu's&nbsp;Tribhuvan International Airport,&nbsp;en route to Dubai, on Monday (April 24), Nepal's aviation authority said the&nbsp;Boeing 737-800 with&nbsp;nearly 150 people on board is "normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan."

This comes as multiple videos of the incident circulated on social media and eye-witnesses claimed they saw aircraft catching fire in the Kathmandu sky.&nbsp;Additionally,&nbsp;earlier reports&nbsp;said that the plane was attempting to&nbsp;land on an emergency basis in Nepal. However, the local government later&nbsp;clarified that the flight was okay and&nbsp;proceeding towards its destination.&nbsp;

"Fly Dubai flight number 576, (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai flight is normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan. Kathmandu airport operation normal from 1614 UTC (09:59 pm local time)," said the&nbsp;Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, in a statement.&nbsp;

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Fly Dubai flight number 576, (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai flight is normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan. 
 
Kathmandu airport operation normal from 1614 UTC (09:59pm local time). <a href="https://t.co/RYhNONAXRK">pic.twitter.com/RYhNONAXRK</a>
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) <a href="https://twitter.com/hello_CAANepal/status/1650539333705953280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Citing&nbsp;airport sources, the news agency, PTI reported, that shortly after the Dubai-bound took off from Kathmandu, it&nbsp;reported a problem in one of its engines. Subsequently, it&nbsp;returned back and hovered over the skies in Dharke and the&nbsp;pilots later told the control tower they will continue after finding out that all indicators are normal.

The aircraft took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 9:20 pm (local time).&nbsp;Pratap Babu Tiwari, general manager of Tribhuvan International Airport said that the&nbsp;airport has now resumed its operation, according to the news agency. 
 
Nepal's Tourism Minister Sudan Kirarti also took to social media and confirmed that the&nbsp;flight is now headed towards Dubai. In an interview, the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal was quoted as saying by a private television news channel, "The aircraft switched off its engine for some time after encountering the problem and now it is heading towards the destination without landing in Kathmandu airport," reported PTI.&nbsp; 
 
In a statement, a FlyDubai spokesperson&nbsp;said, that "flight&nbsp;FZ 576 from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) to Dubai International (DXB) experienced a bird strike during takeoff from Kathmandu." It added, "After following standard procedure the flight will continue as normal to Dubai and is scheduled to land in DXB at 00:14 local time."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Amid reports of a FlyDubai airline's plane catching fire mid-air after taking off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, en route to Dubai, on Monday (April 24), Nepal's aviation authority said the Boeing 737-800 with nearly 150 people on board is "normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan.

Amid reports of a FlyDubai airline's plane catching fire mid-air after taking off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, en route to Dubai, on Monday (April 24), Nepal's aviation authority said the Boeing 737-800 with nearly 150 people on board is "normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan." This comes as multiple videos of the incident circulated on social media and eye-witnesses claimed they saw aircraft catching fire in the Kathmandu sky. Additionally, earlier reports said that the plane was attempting to land on an emergency basis in Nepal. However, the local government later clarified that the flight was okay and proceeding towards its destination. "Fly Dubai flight number 576, (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai flight is normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan. Kathmandu airport operation normal from 1614 UTC (09:59 pm local time)," said the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, in a statement. Fly Dubai flight number 576, (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai flight is normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan. Kathmandu airport operation normal from 1614 UTC (09:59pm local time). pic.twitter.com/RYhNONAXRK — Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) April 24, 2023 × Citing airport sources, the news agency, PTI reported, that shortly after the Dubai-bound took off from Kathmandu, it reported a problem in one of its engines. Subsequently, it returned back and hovered over the skies in Dharke and the pilots later told the control tower they will continue after finding out that all indicators are normal. The aircraft took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 9:20 pm (local time). Pratap Babu Tiwari, general manager of Tribhuvan International Airport said that the airport has now resumed its operation, according to the news agency. Nepal's Tourism Minister Sudan Kirarti also took to social media and confirmed that the flight is now headed towards Dubai. In an interview, the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal was quoted as saying by a private television news channel, "The aircraft switched off its engine for some time after encountering the problem and now it is heading towards the destination without landing in Kathmandu airport," reported PTI. In a statement, a FlyDubai spokesperson said, that "flight FZ 576 from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) to Dubai International (DXB) experienced a bird strike during takeoff from Kathmandu." It added, "After following standard procedure the flight will continue as normal to Dubai and is scheduled to land in DXB at 00:14 local time." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nepal: FlyDubai flight is 'normal now' after reports of plane catching fire mid-air

International airlines Flydubai on Friday stopped two transgender rights activists from boarding a flight because of their ‘x’ gender.&nbsp;

The air tickets of transgender activists, Shahzadi Rai and Zehrish, who work for Gender Interactive Alliance, were cancelled just before they were to board the flight to Kathmandu via the United Arab Emirates, where they were headed to attend the annual meeting.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-passes-transgender-rights-bill-allowing-people-above-16-to-change-gender-on-id-545634">Spain passes transgender rights bill, allowing people above 16 to change gender on ID</a>

After the incident, Shahzadi Rai took to social media to raise the hassle faced by them at Karachi Airport.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/FlyDubaiRBLX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlyDubaiRBLX</a> didn’t allow us to on board their plane due to my X gender identity. <a href="https://twitter.com/flydubai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flydubai</a> shame on u <a href="https://t.co/vipyrWP4Jg">pic.twitter.com/vipyrWP4Jg</a>
— Shahzadi Rai (@ShahzadiRai) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShahzadiRai/status/1616305189736316928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“Transgender persons are part of the mainstream in other countries but Flydubai don’t allow x-gender cards for travelling, which is transphobic behaviour by the airline. If they don’t allow travel on their planes then why even issue us tickets,” Shahzadi quizzed while she shared the ticket issued by the airline.

WATCH | WION Dispatch: Transgender tycoon buys Miss Universe contest

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“Shame on Flydubai for not letting khwaja siras fly on their airlines,” another transgender, whose Twitter handle is @sanakhusri, said.

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Shame on flydubai for not letting khawaja siras fly on their airline. Flop airline ki flop policies. Fucking transphobes!<a href="https://twitter.com/flydubai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flydubai</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ShahzadiRai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShahzadiRai</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/surkhina?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@surkhina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Bubbleskhanum?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bubbleskhanum</a>
— sana (@sanakhusri) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanakhusri/status/1616405155993292802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, transgender activist Hina Baloch, whose Twitter handle is @surkhina, stated, “Today ShahzadiRai was barred from boarding flydubai flight KHI-DXB-KTM. This is hijraphobia and we urge the Pakistan Foreign Office to look into this matter ASAP.”&nbsp;

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Today <a href="https://twitter.com/ShahzadiRai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShahzadiRai</a> was barred from boarding <a href="https://twitter.com/flydubai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flydubai</a> flight KHI-DXB-KTM, UAE still lives in the stone age &amp; they don't recognize our Hijra Communities (Gender X on passport). This is Hijraphobia &amp; we urge <a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ForeignOfficePk</a> to look into this matter asap <a href="https://twitter.com/UAE_karachi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UAE_karachi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/uaeembassyisb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uaeembassyisb</a>
— Hina Baloch (@surkhina) <a href="https://twitter.com/surkhina/status/1616417494675165186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Just an hour before the tickets of transgender activists were cancelled, Shahzadi Rai had shared a smiling photo of herself from the airport and added a caption, “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” However, her excitement turned into a sour memory after she was denied boarding the flight.

(With inputs from agencies)

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International airlines Flydubai on Friday stopped two transgender rights activists from boarding a flight because of their ‘x’ gender. The air tickets of transgender activists, Shahzadi Rai and Zehrish, who work for Gender Interactive Alliance, were cancelled just before they were to board the flight to Kathmandu via the United Arab Emirates, where they were headed to attend the annual meeting.

International airlines Flydubai on Friday stopped two transgender rights activists from boarding a flight because of their ‘x’ gender. The air tickets of transgender activists, Shahzadi Rai and Zehrish, who work for Gender Interactive Alliance, were cancelled just before they were to board the flight to Kathmandu via the United Arab Emirates, where they were headed to attend the annual meeting. ALSO READ| Spain passes transgender rights bill, allowing people above 16 to change gender on ID After the incident, Shahzadi Rai took to social media to raise the hassle faced by them at Karachi Airport. @FlyDubaiRBLX didn’t allow us to on board their plane due to my X gender identity. @flydubai shame on u pic.twitter.com/vipyrWP4Jg — Shahzadi Rai (@ShahzadiRai) January 20, 2023 × “Transgender persons are part of the mainstream in other countries but Flydubai don’t allow x-gender cards for travelling, which is transphobic behaviour by the airline. If they don’t allow travel on their planes then why even issue us tickets,” Shahzadi quizzed while she shared the ticket issued by the airline. WATCH | WION Dispatch: Transgender tycoon buys Miss Universe contest “Shame on Flydubai for not letting khwaja siras fly on their airlines,” another transgender, whose Twitter handle is @sanakhusri, said. Shame on flydubai for not letting khawaja siras fly on their airline. Flop airline ki flop policies. Fucking transphobes!@flydubai@ShahzadiRai @surkhina @Bubbleskhanum — sana (@sanakhusri) January 20, 2023 × Meanwhile, transgender activist Hina Baloch, whose Twitter handle is @surkhina, stated, “Today ShahzadiRai was barred from boarding flydubai flight KHI-DXB-KTM. This is hijraphobia and we urge the Pakistan Foreign Office to look into this matter ASAP.” Today @ShahzadiRai was barred from boarding @flydubai flight KHI-DXB-KTM, UAE still lives in the stone age & they don't recognize our Hijra Communities (Gender X on passport). This is Hijraphobia & we urge @ForeignOfficePk to look into this matter asap @UAE_karachi @uaeembassyisb — Hina Baloch (@surkhina) January 20, 2023 × Just an hour before the tickets of transgender activists were cancelled, Shahzadi Rai had shared a smiling photo of herself from the airport and added a caption, “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” However, her excitement turned into a sour memory after she was denied boarding the flight. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

International airline Flydubai stops two transgender activists from boarding flight

As the FIFA World Cup 2022 fever kicks in, airports in Dubai are gearing up for a huge influx of passengers. Qatar Airways and flydubai will operate up to 120 match-day shuttle flights to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the FIFA tournament which is set to begin from November 20, without hassle.&nbsp;

The match-day shuttle flights from Al Maktoum International Airport also known as Dubai World Central (DWC) to Doha International Airport for FIFA World Cup will start next week.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/dua-lipa-rubbishes-rumours-of-being-a-part-of-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-533905">Dua Lipa rubbishes rumours of being a part of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022</a>

The shuttle flights will fly in and out of DWC everyday between November 20 and December 19, shuttling football fans to Doha and back to Dubai. However, Dubai Airports, which&nbsp;owns and manages the operation and development of both airports Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC),&nbsp;said that the baggage allowance for passengers is only limited to hand luggage and no checked luggage is allowed.&nbsp;

“It is mandatory for travellers to hold a valid match ticket and the Hayya Card to board match day shuttle flights. The baggage allowance for passengers using the shuttle service is limited to hand luggage as per their class of travel, and no checked luggage will be accepted except wheelchairs and strollers,” according to Dubai Airports.

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The Dubai-based low-cost carrier plans as many as 30 round-trip flights a day during the World Cup. To cater the skyrocketing surge in demand, flydubai and Qatar Airways will also be operating chartered flights. Chartered flight operator such as DC Aviation Al Futtaim registered a spike in requests for private jets to Doha.&nbsp;

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Dubai Airports is also mooting stepping up its front line team to ensure smooth experience for the passengers. “More than 60 check-in counters, 21 boarding gates, 60 passport control counters (departures and arrivals) and 10 smart gates, and four baggage belts on arrivals will be operational throughout the period to cope with the anticipated surge in demand,”&nbsp;said Dubai Airports.

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As the FIFA World Cup 2022 fever kicks in, airports in Dubai are gearing up for a huge influx of passengers. Qatar Airways and flydubai will operate up to 120 match-day shuttle flights to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the FIFA tournament which is set to begin from November 20, without hassle.

As the FIFA World Cup 2022 fever kicks in, airports in Dubai are gearing up for a huge influx of passengers. Qatar Airways and flydubai will operate up to 120 match-day shuttle flights to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the FIFA tournament which is set to begin from November 20, without hassle. The match-day shuttle flights from Al Maktoum International Airport also known as Dubai World Central (DWC) to Doha International Airport for FIFA World Cup will start next week. ALSO READ | Dua Lipa rubbishes rumours of being a part of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 The shuttle flights will fly in and out of DWC everyday between November 20 and December 19, shuttling football fans to Doha and back to Dubai. However, Dubai Airports, which owns and manages the operation and development of both airports Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC), said that the baggage allowance for passengers is only limited to hand luggage and no checked luggage is allowed. “It is mandatory for travellers to hold a valid match ticket and the Hayya Card to board match day shuttle flights. The baggage allowance for passengers using the shuttle service is limited to hand luggage as per their class of travel, and no checked luggage will be accepted except wheelchairs and strollers,” according to Dubai Airports. ALSO READ | Manchester United shares official statement after explosive interview by Cristiano Ronaldo The Dubai-based low-cost carrier plans as many as 30 round-trip flights a day during the World Cup. To cater the skyrocketing surge in demand, flydubai and Qatar Airways will also be operating chartered flights. Chartered flight operator such as DC Aviation Al Futtaim registered a spike in requests for private jets to Doha. WATCH | Twitter CEO Elon Musk delays blue tick relaunch till November 29 Dubai Airports is also mooting stepping up its front line team to ensure smooth experience for the passengers. “More than 60 check-in counters, 21 boarding gates, 60 passport control counters (departures and arrivals) and 10 smart gates, and four baggage belts on arrivals will be operational throughout the period to cope with the anticipated surge in demand,” said Dubai Airports. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar Airways, flydubai to operate up to 120 daily shuttle flights between Dubai and Doha

Budget airline flydubai on Thursday launched direct flights to Tel Aviv, the first scheduled commercial service between the two cities, following the normalisation of ties between the UAE and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be on hand for the arrival of the inaugural flight after its nearly four-hour trip, his spokesman said.

"PM Netanyahu will attend this morning the welcoming ceremony for the first @flydubai commercial flight that will arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport," Ofir Gendelman said in a tweet.

"These are the fruits of peace Dear Emirati tourists, welcome to Israel!"

The United Arab Emirates in September signed a landmark US-brokered deal to formalise relations with Israel, the first such agreement by an Arab state in the Gulf.&nbsp;

With their economies hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal, including an influx of tourists as Dubai enters its winter high season.

"The start of scheduled flights will contribute to economic development and create further opportunities for investment," flydubai CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith said when the service was announced earlier this month.

The Dubai carrier will fly the route twice daily, and Israeli airlines El Al and Israir are both expected to launch their commercial services between the cities next month.

Etihad Airways, based in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, has said it will begin flying to Tel Aviv in March 2021.

The UAE became only the third Arab country to normalise ties with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

The two countries have already signed treaties on visa-free travel -- although that is yet to come into force -- along with accords on investment protection, science and technology.

Since the historic agreement, Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit and agreed to forge ties.

The agreements shattered a longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.

Several Gulf Arab states have for years been quietly building relations with Israel on the basis of shared animosity towards Iran, with the US supporting the process.

Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from formalising ties with Israel but has given the green light to overflights from the Jewish state, in an implicit sign of approval.

After the UAE deal was announced by President Donald Trump in August, El Al flew a delegation of US and Israeli officials -- led by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner -- to Abu Dhabi in an historic direct service between the two countries.&nbsp;

That was followed by an official visit by a UAE delegation to Tel Aviv as well as a string of charter flights carrying business groups.

Budget airline flydubai on Thursday launched direct flights to Tel Aviv, the first scheduled commercial service between the two cities, following the normalisation of ties between the UAE and Israel.

Budget airline flydubai on Thursday launched direct flights to Tel Aviv, the first scheduled commercial service between the two cities, following the normalisation of ties between the UAE and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be on hand for the arrival of the inaugural flight after its nearly four-hour trip, his spokesman said. "PM Netanyahu will attend this morning the welcoming ceremony for the first @flydubai commercial flight that will arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport," Ofir Gendelman said in a tweet. "These are the fruits of peace Dear Emirati tourists, welcome to Israel!" The United Arab Emirates in September signed a landmark US-brokered deal to formalise relations with Israel, the first such agreement by an Arab state in the Gulf. With their economies hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal, including an influx of tourists as Dubai enters its winter high season. "The start of scheduled flights will contribute to economic development and create further opportunities for investment," flydubai CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith said when the service was announced earlier this month. The Dubai carrier will fly the route twice daily, and Israeli airlines El Al and Israir are both expected to launch their commercial services between the cities next month. Etihad Airways, based in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, has said it will begin flying to Tel Aviv in March 2021. The UAE became only the third Arab country to normalise ties with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. The two countries have already signed treaties on visa-free travel -- although that is yet to come into force -- along with accords on investment protection, science and technology. Since the historic agreement, Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit and agreed to forge ties. The agreements shattered a longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians. Several Gulf Arab states have for years been quietly building relations with Israel on the basis of shared animosity towards Iran, with the US supporting the process. Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from formalising ties with Israel but has given the green light to overflights from the Jewish state, in an implicit sign of approval. After the UAE deal was announced by President Donald Trump in August, El Al flew a delegation of US and Israeli officials -- led by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner -- to Abu Dhabi in an historic direct service between the two countries. That was followed by an official visit by a UAE delegation to Tel Aviv as well as a string of charter flights carrying business groups.

Flydubai launches first scheduled Dubai-Tel Aviv flight

Sri Lanka's new government Friday offered tax breaks and subsidised fuel to revive the island's second international airport built with Chinese loans but which ended up a white elephant.

Authorities announced plans to suspend the $60 departure tax for two years and allow airlines free landing and parking after scheduled carriers abandoned Mattala Rajapaksa airport.

Ground handling services will also be offered at discounted rates while migrant workers flying out of the airport -- 250 kilometres (150 miles) from Colombo -- will be offered concessionary fares.

Budget carrier Flydubai was the last scheduled operator to pull out of the airport, which is named after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The previous administration, which lost the November presidential election to Rajapaksa's younger brother Gotabaya, had been in talks with neighbouring India to revive the airport as an aircraft maintenance facility.

It was not immediately clear if the new government had abandoned those plans but the country's cabinet said in a statement they wanted scheduled passenger services to resume.

&nbsp;Poor traffic

The airport -- a five-hour drive from the capital -- is in the middle of a migratory route for birds.

Several aircraft have hit birds since it opened in 2013, and four years ago the military deployed hundreds of troops to clear deer, wild buffalo and elephants off the sprawling facility.

The airport, which cost an initial $210 million and employs about 550 workers in Rajapaksa's home district, has failed to generate enough business to pay staff, let alone make a profit.

The first foreign airline to operate out of the facility was Air Arabia in 2013 but they pulled out after six weeks of scheduled services. Flydubai quit in June 2018 without giving a reason, but officials said poor passenger traffic may have spurred the budget carrier to leave.

Even Sri Lanka's national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, stopped flying to Mattala in 2015 soon after Rajapaksa was defeated in the January 2015 elections. Sri Lankan later said they saved $18 million annually by not flying to the airport.

But the facility has remained an emergency alternate landing location for flights heading into Colombo International, about 30 minutes away by air.

In 2017, China took over a loss-making deep-sea port at Hambantota, in the same area as the airport, on a 99-year lease under a $1.1 billion deal, sparking concern in neighbouring India.

Sri Lanka's new government Friday offered tax breaks and subsidised fuel to revive the island's second international airport built with Chinese loans but which ended up a white elephant.

Sri Lanka's new government Friday offered tax breaks and subsidised fuel to revive the island's second international airport built with Chinese loans but which ended up a white elephant. Authorities announced plans to suspend the $60 departure tax for two years and allow airlines free landing and parking after scheduled carriers abandoned Mattala Rajapaksa airport. Ground handling services will also be offered at discounted rates while migrant workers flying out of the airport -- 250 kilometres (150 miles) from Colombo -- will be offered concessionary fares. Budget carrier Flydubai was the last scheduled operator to pull out of the airport, which is named after former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The previous administration, which lost the November presidential election to Rajapaksa's younger brother Gotabaya, had been in talks with neighbouring India to revive the airport as an aircraft maintenance facility. It was not immediately clear if the new government had abandoned those plans but the country's cabinet said in a statement they wanted scheduled passenger services to resume. Poor traffic The airport -- a five-hour drive from the capital -- is in the middle of a migratory route for birds. Several aircraft have hit birds since it opened in 2013, and four years ago the military deployed hundreds of troops to clear deer, wild buffalo and elephants off the sprawling facility. The airport, which cost an initial $210 million and employs about 550 workers in Rajapaksa's home district, has failed to generate enough business to pay staff, let alone make a profit. The first foreign airline to operate out of the facility was Air Arabia in 2013 but they pulled out after six weeks of scheduled services. Flydubai quit in June 2018 without giving a reason, but officials said poor passenger traffic may have spurred the budget carrier to leave. Even Sri Lanka's national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, stopped flying to Mattala in 2015 soon after Rajapaksa was defeated in the January 2015 elections. Sri Lankan later said they saved $18 million annually by not flying to the airport. But the facility has remained an emergency alternate landing location for flights heading into Colombo International, about 30 minutes away by air. In 2017, China took over a loss-making deep-sea port at Hambantota, in the same area as the airport, on a 99-year lease under a $1.1 billion deal, sparking concern in neighbouring India.

Sri Lanka offers tax cuts, subsidies to revive jinxed airport

Dubai&nbsp;International, one of the world's busiest&nbsp;airports,&nbsp;cancelled, diverted and&nbsp;delayed&nbsp;flights&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;due&nbsp;to&nbsp;heavy&nbsp;rain&nbsp;and flooding,&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;Airports said.

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Update: Operations at DXB are still affected due to heavy rain and flooding this morning. Flight delays are likely to continue throughout the day. Some flights have been cancelled or diverted to DWC. Check your flight status on <a href="https://t.co/7DoBPjBtrz">https://t.co/7DoBPjBtrz</a> or your airline’s website
— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DubaiAirports/status/1215922486522646529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Flights&nbsp;are likely to be&nbsp;delayed&nbsp;throughout the day and some have been&nbsp;cancelled&nbsp;or diverted to nearby Al Maktoum&nbsp;airport, state-owned&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;Airports said on Twitter.

Video footage and images posted on social media showed part of the&nbsp;airport's runway area submerged underwater. But could not immediately be verified.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omans-sultan-qaboos-dies-council-starts-succession-process-273505">Dubai</a>&nbsp;airport&nbsp;is the base of airlines Emirates and flydubai.

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Heavy rainfall has caused disruptions to several flights departing from or arriving at <a href="https://twitter.com/DXB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DXB</a> today. Customers are requested to check their flight status on <a href="https://t.co/CE4AwEsjj5">https://t.co/CE4AwEsjj5</a> for the latest information regarding their flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) <a href="https://twitter.com/emirates/status/1215943475260207105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Emirates said several&nbsp;flights&nbsp;to and from&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;had been&nbsp;delayed. Flydubai&nbsp;said its&nbsp;flights&nbsp;were also&nbsp;delayed, while some had been diverted.

Dubai International, one of the world's busiest airports, cancelled, diverted and delayed flights on Saturday due to heavy rain and flooding, Dubai Airports said.

Dubai International, one of the world's busiest airports, cancelled, diverted and delayed flights on Saturday due to heavy rain and flooding, Dubai Airports said. Update: Operations at DXB are still affected due to heavy rain and flooding this morning. Flight delays are likely to continue throughout the day. Some flights have been cancelled or diverted to DWC. Check your flight status on https://t.co/7DoBPjBtrz or your airline’s website — Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) January 11, 2020 × Flights are likely to be delayed throughout the day and some have been cancelled or diverted to nearby Al Maktoum airport, state-owned Dubai Airports said on Twitter. Video footage and images posted on social media showed part of the airport's runway area submerged underwater. But could not immediately be verified. Dubai airport is the base of airlines Emirates and flydubai. Heavy rainfall has caused disruptions to several flights departing from or arriving at @DXB today. Customers are requested to check their flight status on https://t.co/CE4AwEsjj5 for the latest information regarding their flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. — Emirates Airline (@emirates) January 11, 2020 × Emirates said several flights to and from Dubai had been delayed. Flydubai said its flights were also delayed, while some had been diverted.

Dubai airport flights delayed, cancelled and diverted due to heavy rain

Flydubai's chairman warned on Monday the airline could order Airbus A320neos as replacements for <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-ceo-faces-shareholders-for-first-time-since-737-max-crashes-214296&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiY37SAxfXhAhUQ2o8KHStLAPcQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3k-L0kWNWXBrPgeIC8pSBm">Boeing 737 MAX jets</a>, telling the US planemaker to improve communication with customers.

The 737 MAX has been grounded after an <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-ceo-faces-shareholders-for-first-time-since-737-max-crashes-214296&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwickfeSxfXhAhVKknAKHXmbDuIQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1vG9MwJolq9FcOPkOJERNa">Ethiopian Airlines</a> jet crashed in March and a LionAir jet crashed last October, killing a total of 346 people.

The Middle East carrier operates a fleet of only 737 aircraft and is one of the largest MAX operators having ordered 250 of the new model narrow-body jets.

Flydubai has had to ground its 14 MAX jets, accounting for roughly 10 per cent of its fleet, and cancel up to 15 flights a day.

"That gave me an option to talk to Airbus," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum told reporters at the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai.

"You have to understand that we do not have a definite date on when this (MAX) aircraft will be flying."

Flydubai said in March the MAX was integral to its future.

Other airlines have weighed their options since the grounding. A decision from Saudi Arabian budget carrier on whether to proceed with an existing order for 30 MAX jets is imminent, its chief executive said on Sunday.

Flydubai potentially swapping any or part of its order comes as the world's largest planemaker faces one of the biggest crises in its 103-year history.

Boeing, which holds its annual meeting in Chicago on Monday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flydubai is the second biggest MAX customer and last committed to Boeing's best selling jet in 2017 with an order worth $27 billion including purchasing options.

Sheikh Ahmed, who is also the Emirates Chairman, said flydubai would act within its contract terms with Boeing but would not allow anything to stop the airline's growth.

He did not say when flydubai would decide on whether it pursues a replacement order with Airbus.

Sheikh Ahmed also said that Boeing's communication with customer over the grounding and how it plans to recertify the plane "could be better."

Boeing has said it is developing a software fix and new pilot training for regulatory approval in order to get the company's best-selling plane recertified.

Sheikh Ahmed said more needed to be known about those fixes and the how long the plane grounding will last. He said flydubai would seek compensation from Boeing.

"I have to ask it. It is my right. I didn't ground those 14 aircraft," he said.

Flydubai's chairman warned on Monday the airline could order Airbus A320neos as replacements for Boeing 737 MAX jets, telling the US planemaker to improve communication with customers.

Flydubai's chairman warned on Monday the airline could order Airbus A320neos as replacements for Boeing 737 MAX jets, telling the US planemaker to improve communication with customers. The 737 MAX has been grounded after an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed in March and a LionAir jet crashed last October, killing a total of 346 people. The Middle East carrier operates a fleet of only 737 aircraft and is one of the largest MAX operators having ordered 250 of the new model narrow-body jets. Flydubai has had to ground its 14 MAX jets, accounting for roughly 10 per cent of its fleet, and cancel up to 15 flights a day. "That gave me an option to talk to Airbus," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum told reporters at the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai. "You have to understand that we do not have a definite date on when this (MAX) aircraft will be flying." Flydubai said in March the MAX was integral to its future. Other airlines have weighed their options since the grounding. A decision from Saudi Arabian budget carrier on whether to proceed with an existing order for 30 MAX jets is imminent, its chief executive said on Sunday. Flydubai potentially swapping any or part of its order comes as the world's largest planemaker faces one of the biggest crises in its 103-year history. Boeing, which holds its annual meeting in Chicago on Monday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Flydubai is the second biggest MAX customer and last committed to Boeing's best selling jet in 2017 with an order worth $27 billion including purchasing options. Sheikh Ahmed, who is also the Emirates Chairman, said flydubai would act within its contract terms with Boeing but would not allow anything to stop the airline's growth. He did not say when flydubai would decide on whether it pursues a replacement order with Airbus. Sheikh Ahmed also said that Boeing's communication with customer over the grounding and how it plans to recertify the plane "could be better." Boeing has said it is developing a software fix and new pilot training for regulatory approval in order to get the company's best-selling plane recertified. Sheikh Ahmed said more needed to be known about those fixes and the how long the plane grounding will last. He said flydubai would seek compensation from Boeing. "I have to ask it. It is my right. I didn't ground those 14 aircraft," he said.

Flydubai could take Airbus jets if Boeing MAX grounding prolonged

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