2026-09-30 18:09:29Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a serious incident in the cockpit, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that evidence indicates that one of the pilots tried to crash the plane.

According to three Israeli officials cited by Reuters, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain before crew members entered the cockpit and took control of flight FZ1073.

The plane diverted to Saudi Arabia while flying over Jordanian airspace and landed at Tabuk airport. All passengers are safe and accounted for, according to the airline.

"This morning, a very serious security incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Israel. Almost all the passengers on board were Israelis. During the flight, as they were approaching the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot with a knife; apparently, he tried to bring down the plane along with the passengers. I spoke to one of the Israeli passengers. He told me that the plane went into an uncontrolled spin and began to fall rapidly. He told me that, against all odds, he managed to force his way into the cockpit together with one of the crew members and together they neutralized the pilot ," Netanyahu stated in his first public reaction.

Another crew member then entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the plane, according to him.

Netanyahu said one of the perpetrators had been arrested.

"The plane landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia and all passengers are out of danger. The pilot who carried out the knife attack has been arrested and is currently being questioned by Saudi authorities. We are in constant contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety of the passengers and their speedy return home. I have instructed the security structures to prepare for other possible threats ," Netanyahu said.

Flightradar24 data shows that the plane suddenly lost nearly 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds, before the first emergency signal was transmitted.

A signal was then transmitted that could indicate unlawful interference with the flight.

Both pilots have been hospitalized with injuries, according to Tabuk airport.

One of the Israeli officials cited by Reuters identified the suspect as an Omani national. Saudi authorities are questioning him, according to Netanyahu.

The current assessment of Israeli officials is that the incident may have been an attempted terrorist attack. Investigations into the circumstances and motive of the incident are ongoing.


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