Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi authorities had arrested and were questioning the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 after a cockpit attack on September 30, 2026. The Dubai state-owned airline's Dubai-Tel Aviv service diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu said the injured Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. Other Flydubai pilots aboard the aircraft then landed it safely.
Passenger Almog Italie gave Reuters an account of the abrupt movements felt in the cabin. He said the first two hours had been calm before the aircraft suddenly dropped near the Jordanian border. He described roughly 20 to 30 seconds of severe movement, followed by a recovery and another shorter drop. After the aircraft steadied again, he saw people rushing towards the front of the cabin.
Passenger footage obtained by Reuters showed travellers remaining inside the aircraft after the diversion and later inside the Tabuk terminal. Outside the plane, airport workers unfolded stretchers beside an ambulance. Reuters authenticated the airport location against buildings and satellite imagery and spoke directly to the person who supplied the footage. Its separate recording of Italie's account was filmed aboard an aircraft departing Tabuk.
Israel subsequently announced tighter security checks for pilots flying into the country. Prime ministerial spokesman Doron Spielman told Reuters that authorities would establish pilots' identities and conduct checks across Israeli and foreign carriers. Flydubai cautioned against premature speculation while facts remained unclear. On regulatory oversight, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency told Reuters that certification of Flydubai and supervision of its crews' fitness to fly rested with the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority.
