ISRAEL SEEKS ANSWERS AS UAE PROBE EXAMINES POSSIBLE TERROR LINKS IN FLYDUBAI COCKPIT ATTACK

October 2, 2026

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have launched efforts to establish the motives and circumstances behind a violent mid-air attack aboard a Flydubai passenger aircraft, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during a flight bound for Tel Aviv. The incident, which occurred on September 30 aboard Flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Israel, placed more than 170 people at risk and prompted an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The aircraft reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds while flying over Saudi territory. Despite being wounded, Indian captain Smit Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to overpower the alleged attacker. A reserve crew member and other pilots aboard the flight subsequently helped bring the aircraft safely to the ground at Tabuk.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek to uncover the co-pilot’s background, motivations and any possible accomplices. He also indicated that Israel could participate in the investigation. However, Netanyahu said it was too early to determine whether Iran or any other external actor had been involved, and no official evidence of Iranian involvement had been presented.

Meanwhile, the UAE has opened a formal investigation to determine the causes and motives behind the incident, including whether it involved terrorist activity, prior planning or direction by another individual or organisation. Emirati judicial authorities have asserted jurisdiction on the grounds that the aircraft is registered in the UAE, allowing the investigation to examine conduct that allegedly occurred outside its territory.

The co-pilot was identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, although Omani authorities had not publicly confirmed the report. Saudi authorities were initially investigating the incident following the aircraft’s emergency landing, while both pilots received medical treatment. The case has raised questions about aviation security, cockpit safety and the screening of flight crew members.

Flydubai has said that the reasons behind the incident remain unknown and cautioned against premature conclusions. Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events inside the cockpit, the alleged attacker’s background and whether any wider security threat was involved. The findings could have implications for aviation security cooperation among the countries involved, while the motive behind the attack remains unconfirmed.