Flydubai co‑pilot’s attempted crash leads to nationality‑based crew bans
Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
A flydubai co‑pilot tried to seize flight FZ1073 and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal.
Attempted crash on FZ1073
The UAE Attorney‑General said the co‑pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 intended to seize the aircraft and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal. Pilots, cabin crew and passengers intervened, regained control and landed the aircraft in Tabuk.
Legal and investigative actions
Prosecutors described the plot as inspired by the September 11 attacks and noted that two earlier flights to Tel Aviv had been used to study the route. The suspect reportedly confessed in his lawyer’s presence and said he acted alone, a claim that investigators are still verifying. India’s National Investigation Agency has registered a formal case under the Anti‑Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act after the central government cited the incident’s grave national and international ramifications.
Detention of other pilots
Two newly recruited Maldivian pilots, part of a group of six Maldivian pilots working for flydubai, were detained after the incident. Their families were notified by the Maldivian embassy on 8 October 2026. Both detained pilots lived in the same building as the co‑pilot and had operated flights to Israel.
Nationality‑based crew bans
Following the attempted hijacking, Israeli authorities imposed restrictions that bar pilots and cabin crew holding the nationality or dual nationality of countries without official diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights into Israeli airspace. The restrictions cover nationals of more than two dozen countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia. Air France has adjusted crew assignments in line with the new rules, and United Airlines has notified affected employees to contact scheduling.
What's still unclear
Sources also differ on the diversion destination, with one stating the aircraft landed in Tabuk and another stating it was diverted to Sochi.
Analysed 8 reports from 8 publishers
Used in this story
- avitrader.com
- viewfromthewing.com
- aviation24.be
- fox17.com
- riviera-maya-news.com
- dailyexcelsior.com
- wn.com
- naturalnews.com
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