Flydubai Flight FZ1073 diverted after cockpit attack en route to Tel Aviv

Incident details

The Boeing 737 operating flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport when the co‑pilot attempted to strike the captain with a crash axe and seize control of the aircraft. Passengers and crew intervened and stopped the attacker, and the aircraft lost altitude rapidly before diverting.

The UAE Attorney‑General described the act as a terrorist attack, and Saudi authorities are conducting an air‑safety probe under international rules while the UAE has opened a separate criminal investigation.

Flight path and landing

After the struggle, the flight diverted and made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on 30 September 2026.

Passenger and crew numbers

Flydubai reported that all 172 passengers and crew on board were safe. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior reported 174 passengers and eight crew members aboard the aircraft.

Operational response

Flydubai has asked Israel for permission to resume flights to Ben Gurion Airport, but the Israeli Transportation Minister has not yet authorized the resumption. The airline suspended its Israel operations following the attack.