Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv faced a severe crisis mid-air when a captain tried to stab his co-pilot and crash the aircraft. A swift response from passengers, Israeli marshals and a British off-duty pilot averted the disaster, enabling an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia where the attacker was arrested.

Incident Overview

A serious security breach was reported on board flight FZ 1073 on March 15, 2025, roughly two hours after take‑off.

  • Flight Code: FZ 1073
  • Route: Dubai (DXB) → Tel Aviv (TLV)
  • Emergency Code: 7700 then 7500 (hijack)
  • Altitude Lost: 17,000 feet in just two minutes
  • Diversion Airport: Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Context & Background

The Dubai‑Tel Aviv corridor has been operating regularly since the Abraham Accords in 2020. The emergency landing in Tabuk occurred amid no formal diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, although past incidents—such as a medical diversion to Riyadh in 2025—showed limited cooperation.

Approximately 170 passengers and the co‑pilot were unharmed, while the aggressor suffered visible injuries before Saudi authorities took him into custody. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the suspect is being questioned in Saudi Arabia, and Defense Minister Israel Katz described the act as an "; terrorist attempt to bring down the aircraft". The UK pilot, who was traveling off‑duty, helped subdue the assailant together with Israeli air marshals and fellow passengers.

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Given the gravity of the incident, authorities are expected to tighten security protocols on the Dubai‑Tel Aviv and broader Middle‑East routes. Israeli officials hint that this event could spark unprecedented diplomatic pressure to share intelligence between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though the lack of official relations may complicate a joint investigation.