Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After Pilot Hijack Attempt

Mid-Flight Incident Leads to Diversion

On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX aircraft bound for Tel Aviv, Israel, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following an alleged attempted hijacking by one of its pilots. Israeli officials reported that passengers and crew aboard the flight intervened to prevent the incident from escalating.

The aircraft, originating from the United Arab Emirates, landed safely in Tabuk after an unscheduled diversion from its intended destination, Ben Gurion International Airport. Initial accounts from those on board, shared with media outlets and investigators, indicate a struggle in the cockpit.

Crew and Passengers Subdue Attacking Pilot

Reports from passengers and crew members positioned near the front of the cabin describe one pilot attacking the other, followed by the assailant attempting to damage the flight controls, leading to a rapid descent of over 17,000 feet within seconds. Crew members, with the assistance of passengers, successfully subdued the attacking pilot.

Two off-duty pilots, travelling as passengers, were then summoned to the cockpit, where they assumed control of the aircraft and executed the emergency landing in Tabuk. The injured pilot was subsequently moved from the flight deck to the main cabin for assistance, though no injuries to passengers were reported.

Official Confirmation and Pilot Nationalities

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu largely corroborated these accounts on Wednesday, stating that one pilot stabbed the other before attempting to crash the aeroplane. He commended the passengers and crew for their heroic intervention. Both pilots were hospitalised upon arrival in Tabuk.

Reuters reported that the pilot accused of the attempted hijacking is an Omani national, while the injured pilot is an Indian national. The incident is now under investigation by authorities in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with Saudi Arabia reportedly handling the interrogation of the suspect pilot.

Flydubai Halts Israel Services Amid Investigations

Following the incident, Flydubai announced on Wednesday afternoon that it would suspend all flights to and from Israel indefinitely while investigations are underway. The airline, which characterised the event as an 'altercation', cautioned against 'premature speculation' regarding motives.

Israeli passengers from the diverted flight were transported from Tabuk to Tel Aviv, where they were greeted by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The suspension of Flydubai's services will directly impact travel connectivity between the UAE and Israel, requiring travellers to seek alternative carriers or routes for the foreseeable future, until the airline's operations to the destination resume.