What happened
A Flydubai co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, hijacked a flight carrying 174 passengers and stabbed the captain. The incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, with mainly Israeli passengers on board. About two hours into the flight, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude before other crew members intervened and stabilized the plane.
The co-pilot, who was previously banned from flying by Oman due to radical beliefs, was hired by Flydubai eight months ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speculated that the co-pilot may have undergone Islamist radicalization. The suspect is currently being investigated by Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The captain, who was hospitalized due to his injuries, was able to open the door to the cockpit to allow passengers to restrain the attacker. The investigation aims to uncover the suspect's identity, motive, and how a weapon entered the cockpit.
