--- title: "FlyDubai pilots taken to Abu Dhabi after emergency landing in Saudi Arabia" description: "Most outlets led with the emergency landing and the subsequent transfer of the pilots to Abu Dhabi for investigation. 24 News HD emphasized the Indian pilot's account of an alleged in-flight attack by the co-pilot and his actions to open the cockpit door. Geo News provided a more general summary of the incident and the initial investigation." url: https://harzaviya.com/stories/11487-tel-aviv-bound-flydubai-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia site: HarZaviya language: en --- # FlyDubai pilots taken to Abu Dhabi after emergency landing in Saudi Arabia world · updated 2 Oct 2026, 5:15 PM PKT · 30 Sep – 2 Oct 2026 · 55 articles from 17 outlets over 3 developments ## How it developed Newest development first. Each carries its own coverage and, where we have one, our summary of it. ### 2 Oct 2026 — FlyDubai pilots taken to Abu Dhabi after emergency landing in Saudi Arabia (3 outlets) > Most outlets led with the emergency landing and the subsequent transfer of the pilots to Abu Dhabi for investigation. 24 News HD emphasized the Indian pilot's account of an alleged in-flight attack by the co-pilot and his actions to open the cockpit door. Geo News provided a more general summary of the incident and the initial investigation. - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Capt. Smit Machchhar: India’s ‘hero’ pilot who thwarted Flydubai attacker](https://www.arabnews.pk/world/capt-smit-machchhar-indias-hero-pilot-who-thwarted-flydubai-attacker-3002972) · 2 Oct 2026, 5:15 PM PKT - **24 News HD** — [Indian flydubai pilot opened cockpit door to save passengers](https://www.24newshd.tv/02-Oct-2026/indian-flydubai-pilot-opened-cockpit-door-save-passengers) · 2 Oct 2026, 3:35 PM PKT · 75% identical wording to the newest filing > Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar knew he had to act quickly after an alleged in-flight attack by his co-pilot, opening the cockpit door in a "last push" to get help and avert disaster, he said Friday. - **Geo News** — [flydubai pilots taken to Abu Dhabi after Saudi-UAE initial investigation](https://www.geo.tv/latest/684657-flydubai-pilots-taken-to-abu-dhabi-after-saudi-uae-initial-investigation) · 2 Oct 2026, 10:04 AM PKT · 45% identical wording to the newest filing > A plane, carrying passengers who were on the FlyDubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, on the tarmac as it arrives at the Ben Gurion International Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30,... ### 1 Oct 2026 — Saudi Arabia denies Israel's request to send planes for stranded passengers after Flydubai emergency landing (12 outlets) > Most outlets led with Saudi Arabia's refusal to allow Israeli planes to retrieve passengers from a Flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in the kingdom. Several also highlighted the in-flight incident, noting that the pilot was allegedly attacked by the co-pilot and that passengers helped avert a potential disaster. Some coverage included praise for the Indian pilot from both Israeli and Indian leaders, while others briefly mentioned the pilot's background and the airline’s decision to suspend flights to Israel. - **Pakistan Today** — [Saudi Arabia turned down Israeli requests to send planes to retrieve passengers: source](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/10/01/saudi-arabia-turned-down-israeli-requests-to-send-planes-to-retrieve-passengers-source) · 1 Oct 2026, 9:26 PM PKT - **Hum News English** — [Netanyahu says flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination](https://humenglish.com/latest/netanyahu-says-flydubai-co-pilot-underwent-islamist-radical-indoctrination/) · 1 Oct 2026, 5:48 PM PKT · 46% identical wording to the newest filing > WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday the co-pilot who tried to crash a passenger jet on its way to Israel had undergone Islamist radicalisation. "We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News. He also told "Fox & Friends" he would be able to say win a matter of days whether flydubai co-pilot had connect... - **Minute Mirror** — [Saudi Arabia rejects Israeli bid to fly out passen...](https://minutemirror.com.pk/saudi-arabia-rejects-israeli-bid-to-fly-out-passengers-from-diverted-dubai-flight-638157/) · 1 Oct 2026, 3:54 PM PKT · 84% identical wording to the newest filing > Saudi Arabia turned down a request from Israel to send its own aircraft into the kingdom to retrieve Israeli passengers stranded after a - **24 News HD** — [Saudi Arabia turned down Israeli requests to send planes to retrieve passengers](https://www.24newshd.tv/01-Oct-2026/saudi-arabia-turned-israeli-requests-send-planes-retrieve-passengers) · 1 Oct 2026, 3:44 PM PKT · 92% identical wording to the newest filing > Saudi Arabia turned down multiple requests by Israel to send its own planes to retrieve passengers from a diverted flydubai flight, a Saudi source with knowledge of the matter told AFP Thursday. - **Geo News** — [Saudi Arabia turned down Israeli requests to send planes to retrieve passengers: source](https://www.geo.tv/latest/684516-saudi-arabia-turned-down-israeli-requests-to-send-planes-to-retrieve-passen) · 1 Oct 2026, 2:40 PM PKT · 85% identical wording to the newest filing > Plane, carrying passengers who were on the flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, on the tarmac as it arrives at the Ben Gurion International Airport, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30,... - **Business Recorder** — [From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40442163/from-textile-engineering-to-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise-after-flydubai-drama) · 1 Oct 2026, 1:00 PM PKT · 28% identical wording to the newest filing > NEW DELHI: For Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, hailed as a hero for averting a crash of a flydubai jet bound for Israel, aviation was never part of his childhood dreams. Machchhar had his sights set on the family’s textile business, until the aviation bug bit at the age of 19, which scared his mother. Now even after thousands of hours of flying, Machchhar’s love of aviation is something he keeps i... - **Daily Times** — [Indian pilot praised after Flydubai flight emergency](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1561017/indian-pilot-praised-after-flydubai-flight-emergency/) · 1 Oct 2026, 12:22 PM PKT · 50% identical wording to the newest filing > Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised an Indian pilot after a Flydubai flight faced a serious emergency during its journey to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot and attempted to take control of the plane. Passengers later helped restrain the attacker. Read More: Captured Indian […] - **Aaj News (English)** — [Flydubai pilot hailed as hero after cockpit stabbing](https://english.aaj.tv/news/330474742/flydubai-pilot-hailed-as-hero-after-cockpit-stabbing) · 1 Oct 2026, 11:55 AM PKT · 34% identical wording to the newest filing > For Indian ​pilot Smit Machchhar, hailed as a hero for helping avert a potential disaster aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, aviation was never ‌part of his childhood dreams. Machchhar had his sights set on the family’s textile business until the aviation bug bit at the age of 19, which scared his mother. Now even after thousands of hours of flying, Machchhar’s love of aviation is... - **Dawn** — [Israel PM hails Indian pilot of rerouted Flydubai flight for averting disaster](https://www.dawn.com/news/2033952/israel-pm-hails-indian-pilot-of-rerouted-flydubai-flight-for-averting-disaster) · 1 Oct 2026, 11:50 AM PKT · 47% identical wording to the newest filing > Israel’s leader credited the pilot and passengers of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight with averting a catastrophe on Wednesday after they overpowered a co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing. Passengers described rushing the cockpit after the plane suddenly plummeted, losing around 17,000 feet of altitude in the span of a minute, according to the Flightradar24 w... - **Arab News Pakistan** — [FlyDubai mid-air knife attacking co-pilot was Omani and indoctrinated radical, Netanyahu says](https://www.arabnews.pk/middle-east/flydubai-mid-air-knife-attacking-co-pilot-was-omani-and-indoctrinated-radical-netanyahu-says-3002848) · 1 Oct 2026, 10:16 AM PKT · 52% identical wording to the newest filing > Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated it’s premature to identify who was responsible for the thwarted attempt to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Investigations are ongoing, with the pilot under scrutiny in Saudi Arabia. - **BOL News** — [Flydubai suspends Israel flights after cockpit incident](https://bolnews.com/world/flydubai-suspends-israel-flights-after-cockpit-incident) · 1 Oct 2026, 10:07 AM PKT · 61% identical wording to the newest filing > A flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a cockpit altercation injured both pilots, prompting the airline to suspend flights to and from Israel as authorities investigate the incident. - **The Express Tribune** — [Saudi Arabia turned down Israeli request to allow its planes to pick up Israeli passengers](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632406/saudi-arabia-turned-down-israeli-request-to-allow-its-planes-to-pick-up-israeli-passengers) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:57 AM PKT · 86% identical wording to the newest filing > The Israeli air force preparers to send ​Super Hercules planes to pick up Israeli passengers, sources say ### 30 Sep 2026 — Israel-bound Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilot altercation (16 outlets) > Most outlets reported the diversion of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv to Saudi Arabia following an altercation between pilots, citing emergency signals and an Israeli official’s statement. Some described the incident as a mid-air fight or physical altercation, while others framed it as a more serious event, such as an attempted hijacking or crash. A few outlets noted that passengers intervened or that the co-pilot allegedly tried to crash the plane, but these details were not universally included. The framing of the incident varied from a routine emergency landing to a potential terror attack, depending on the excerpt. - **The Nation** — [Passengers foil bid to crash Dubai-Tel Aviv flight](https://www.nation.com.pk/01-Oct-2026/passengers-foil-bid-crash-dubai-tel-aviv-flight) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:40 AM PKT > Israeli says major disaster avoided after pilot stabbed his co-pilot, tried to hijack aircraft with over 100 Israeli passengers Flydubai plane makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia All passengers depart on replacement aircraft. - **Business Recorder** — [Israel PM says pilot of rerouted flight tried to crash flydubai plane](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40442084/israel-pm-says-pilot-of-rerouted-flight-tried-to-crash-flydubai-plane) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:39 AM PKT · 77% identical wording to the newest filing > TABUK, (Saudi Arabia): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the pilot of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight had tried to crash the plane and kill its passengers, after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Passengers gave a similar account of the incident on board, describing a fight for control after the plane suddenly plummeted, losing ar... - **The Express Tribune** — [From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot wins praise after flydubai drama](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632402/from-textile-engineering-to-cockpit-hero-indian-pilot-wins-praise-after-flydubai-drama) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:25 AM PKT · 41% identical wording to the newest filing > Pilot says when I get out of cockpit or aircraft, I don't want other guy to ⁠know that ​I'm a pilot - **Dunya News** — [Flydubai suspends Israel flights after co-pilot stabs pilot](https://dunyanews.tv/en/World/975537-flydubai-suspends-israel-flights-after-copilot-stabs-pilot) · 1 Oct 2026, 6:05 AM PKT · 70% identical wording to the newest filing > The airline said the temporary suspension would allow authorities to continue their investigation and “establish all the facts surrounding the incident.” - **Daily Times** — [Israel-bound plane rerouted to KSA; pilots wounded in reported fight](https://dailytimes.com.pk/1560784/israel-bound-plane-rerouted-to-ksa-pilots-wounded-in-reported-fight/) · 1 Oct 2026, 4:11 AM PKT · 70% identical wording to the newest filing > Two pilots were wounded after they reportedly fought on board the plane they were flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, and which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The flydubai plane landed in Tabuk at 9:45 am (11:45am PKT) and its “captain and copilot were found to have injuries […] - **Arab News Pakistan** — [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauds FlyDubai "hero" pilot Smit Machchhar, praises for bravery during cockpit attack](https://www.arabnews.pk/middle-east/indian-prime-minister-narendra-modi-lauds-flydubai-hero-pilot-smit-machchhar-praises-for-bravery-during-cockpit-attack-3002825) · 1 Oct 2026, 2:15 AM PKT · 50% identical wording to the newest filing - **Pakistan Today** — [Israel-bound plane rerouted to Saudi Arabia; pilots wounded in reported fight](https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/30/israel-bound-plane-rerouted-to-saudi-arabia-pilots-wounded-in-reported-fight) · 30 Sep 2026, 10:33 PM PKT · 60% identical wording to the newest filing - **ARY News (English)** — [Israel claims passengers overcame pilot who tried to crash flydubai flight](https://arynews.tv/israel-claims-passengers-overcame-pilot-who-tried-to-crash-flydubai-flight) · 30 Sep 2026, 10:11 PM PKT · 76% identical wording to the newest filing > The airline said in a statement that the underlying reasons for the event remained unknown and warned against "premature speculation". - **24 News HD** — [Passenger on rerouted flydubai flight says pilot tried to crash plane](https://www.24newshd.tv/30-Sep-2026/passenger-rerouted-flydubai-flight-says-pilot-tried-crash-plane) · 30 Sep 2026, 6:54 PM PKT · 79% identical wording to the newest filing > A passenger on a rerouted flydubai flight that was bound for Tel Aviv said one of the pilots tried to crash the plane and kill everyone on board, after both pilots were found to be wounded on landing in Saudi Arabia. - **Hum News English** — [Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted ‘terror attack’](https://humenglish.com/latest/israeli-officials-say-diverted-flydubai-incident-may-be-attempted-terror-attack/) · 30 Sep 2026, 6:17 PM PKT · 80% identical wording to the newest filing > The co-pilot of a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv is believed to have stabbed the captain in a possible attempted "terror attack" on Wednesday, forcing the plane to divert to Saudi Arabia where it landed safely, three Israeli officials said. They said the cabin crew entered the cockpit and took control of flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, which diverted to Saudi Arab... - **Aaj News (English)** — [Israel-bound flight diverts to Saudi Arabia after pilot altercation](https://english.aaj.tv/news/330474655/israel-bound-flight-diverts-to-saudi-arabia-after-pilot-altercation) · 30 Sep 2026, 4:36 PM PKT · 70% identical wording to the newest filing > A flight bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals following a fight between the pilots, an Israeli official said on Wednesday. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted over Jordanian airspace ​towards Saudi Arabia, transmitting a general emergency signal and then another emergency signal that indicated possible un... - **Minute Mirror** — [Hijacking alert issued after unusual incident on Dubai-Israel flight](https://minutemirror.com.pk/hijacking-alert-issued-after-unusual-incident-on-dubai-israel-flight-637734/) · 30 Sep 2026, 3:48 PM PKT · 73% identical wording to the newest filing > An unusual incident was reported aboard a flight travelling from Dubai to Israel after the aircraft suddenly - **BOL News** — [Flydubai flight to Israel diverts to Saudi Arabia due to fight between pilots](https://us.bolnews.com/world/flydubai-flight-to-israel-diverts-to-saudi-arabia-due-to-fight-between-pilots) · 30 Sep 2026, 1:45 PM PKT · 70% identical wording to the newest filing > A Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a reported fight between pilots. This is not the first time this route landed in Saudi Arabia unexpectedly. - **Dawn** — [Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots: Israeli official](https://www.dawn.com/news/2033728/tel-aviv-bound-flydubai-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-pilots-israeli-official) · 30 Sep 2026, 12:57 PM PKT · 73% identical wording to the newest filing > A flight bound for Israel from Dubai diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals due to a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking, an Israeli official said on Wednesday. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai diverted over Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia, transmitting a general emergency signal before transmitting another emergency signal that indicates a possible ... - **The News International** — [Flydubai flight diversion to Saudi Arabia: Israel rules out hijacking](https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1418176-flydubai-flight-diversion-to-saudi-arabia-israel-rules-out-hijacking) · 30 Sep 2026, 12:47 PM PKT · 78% identical wording to the newest filing > A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying 174 passengers showed an unexpected diversion over Jordanian airspace to Saudi Arabia after the pilot triggered an emergency signal that initially raised fears of a hijacking. On... - **Daily Pakistan (English)** — [Flydubai Flight with Israeli passengers sparks Hijacking Alarm after Pilots Clash Mid-Air](https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/30-Sep-2026/flydubai-flight-with-israeli-passengers-sparks-hijacking-alarm-after-pilots-clash-mid-air) · 30 Sep 2026, 12:33 PM PKT · 79% identical wording to the newest filing > DUBAI – A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly sparked scare after aircraft flashed a hijacking alert, changed course and triggered an Israeli fighter-jet response. But the startling truth emerged later as the emergency was reportedly caused by a brawl between pilots inside the cockpit. Boeing 737 eventually diverted safely to Saudi Arabia, […] ## Part of a bigger story Other stories whose coverage resembles this one, nearest first. "% related" compares whole stories, not single articles — see [what the percentages mean](https://harzaviya.com/methodology). - [Australian authorities investigate FlyDubai co-pilot's links after in-flight incident](https://harzaviya.com/stories/11727-flydubai-incident-co-pilot-s-motive-unclear-as-probe-begins) · 6 Oct 2026 · 14 outlets · 6 developments · 87% related - [Israel considers special flight to repatriate citizens after Flydubai emergency landing in Saudi Arabia](https://harzaviya.com/stories/11543-israel-weighs-special-flight-to-bring-citizens-home-after) · 30 Sep 2026 · 2 outlets · 82% related - [UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight](https://harzaviya.com/stories/13350-uae-says-omani-flydubai-co-pilot-planned-suicide-attack) · 12 Oct 2026 · 9 outlets · 2 developments · 82% related - [Indian pilot describes dramatic attack during Dubai-Tel Aviv flight](https://harzaviya.com/stories/12046-indian-pilot-describes-dramatic-attack-during-dubai-tel-aviv) · 2 Oct 2026 · 2 outlets · 80% related - [Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot's alleged extremist links](https://harzaviya.com/stories/13759-australia-probes-flydubai-co-pilot-s-alleged-extremist-links) · 12 Oct 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 developments · 78% related 55 articles from 17 outlets, 30 Sep – 2 Oct 2026. 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