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Active United Arab Emirates Emergency / health travel notice

UAE Prosecutors State Flydubai Co-Pilot Attempted Terrorist Attack With Crash Axe

The UAE Attorney General announced that the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a terrorist attack by assaulting the captain with a cockpit crash axe. The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after crew and passengers subdued the attacker. Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel while investigations continue.

Affected country
United Arab Emirates
Location / route
Dubai–Tel Aviv flight route / Tabuk Airport
Published by source
October 3, 2026 2:12 PM CST
Effective period
September 30, 2026 12:00 AM CST
Last verified
October 3, 2026 6:12 PM CST
Status
Active

Official guidance

Flydubai has suspended all commercial flights to and from Israel pending the outcome of security investigations into flight FZ1073.

Summary of official information. Always check the official source and follow the guidance of the authorities. UECN does not issue risk ratings; the absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.

The United Arab Emirates Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, announced that investigations into flydubai flight FZ1073 determined the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act, according to state news agency WAM. The prosecutor general stated that the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit using an emergency crash axe in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft.

The incident took place aboard a scheduled service from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying more than 170 passengers and crew. During the confrontation, the aircraft experienced a steep plunge before the captain, cabin crew, and passengers intervened to overpower the co-pilot and restore stability.

The flight diverted to Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, and Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot. Both the injured captain and the suspect were subsequently transferred to Abu Dhabi accompanied by UAE security personnel.

Flydubai stated that the circumstances remain under investigation and confirmed the suspension of its flights to and from Israel. UAE prosecutors reported that examinations of physical and digital evidence are continuing to establish the suspect's motives and any related connections.

Revision history

  1. Active Published automatically from the official source

Sources

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