Flydubai Seeks Flight Resumption to Tel Aviv After Cockpit Attack, But Israel Denies Request

Flydubai wants to resume flights to Israel after an Omani co-pilot attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit of flight FZ1073 on September 30. Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev has declined the request so far, according to a Channel 13 report.

Investigation and New Rules

Flydubai stated that its internal investigation into the attack is almost finished and that several workers have been fired. The airline also invited Israeli transportation ministry officials to visit Dubai next week. Meanwhile, Israel is considering new draft requirements that would force non-Israeli pilots and crew members to submit a form 48 hours before flights for government check. Under these proposed rules, citizens from countries marked as "red" would also face checks by security agencies Mossad and Shin Bet.

The Incident and Aftermath

During the Dubai-to-Tel-Aviv trip, co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami attacked Smit Machchhar. The plane carried 182 people on board. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, and passengers helped overpower the attacker. The flight diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith announced that flights to Tel Aviv were suspended following the incident at the request of authorities. All 172 passengers and crew members were safe, and Captain Machchhar has returned to the United Arab Emirates after getting medical clearance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also ordered a security review of foreign civil aviation into Israel.

Context

Airline security protocols rely heavily on strict background checks and cockpit door security to prevent unauthorized access and inflight altercations. International aviation authorities closely monitor crew vetting procedures to ensure passenger and pilot safety on cross-border routes.