flydubai FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September 2026 with 174 passengers, had a security incident in the flight deck. It dropped 1…
After the Abraham Accords, flydubai flew the first scheduled Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. It was FZ1163, a different number from the 2026 incident flight.
Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to all carriers, including flights to and from Israel. Dubai-Tel Aviv flights now cross the kingdom.
A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, A6-FKF, flying Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, almost all Israeli. It climbed to about 34,000 ft.
A steep descent, a sharp climb, then another descent. Tracking showed 14,125 ft lost in 29 seconds in the sharpest part.
Squawk 7700 tells every radar screen an aircraft has an emergency needing priority. It does not say what kind.
Squawk 7500 signals unlawful interference, such as a hijacking. The aircraft turned west into Jordanian airspace, then back toward Saudi Arabia.
FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk. Injured crew went to hospital. A replacement aircraft flew the passengers to Tel Aviv that evening.
Israeli officials say the Omani first officer stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar and tried to crash the plane. flydubai confirms only a flight-deck altercation.
Not for now. flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel until the investigation is complete.
Not determined. UAE prosecutors are examining the facts, motives and any link to terrorist activity or prior planning.
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