Netanyahu Hails 'Hero' Pilot After Passengers Subdue Attacker on Diverted Dubai Flight

Key points

• Netanyahu named the injured captain as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, crediting him with resisting the attack and opening the cockpit door.
• The aircraft, Flight FZ 1073, experienced a rapid descent of 17,000 feet before landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
• Passengers, including Zvika Meness, reported subduing the attacker using zip ties and headphones, while a crew member took control of the plane.
• Flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Israel pending an investigation, citing coordination with authorities.
• Saudi Arabia, which lacks formal diplomatic relations with Israel, facilitated the emergency landing and medical treatment for the injured crew.

Background

This incident follows earlier aviation security concerns, including a 2022 dispute between Israel and the UAE regarding security protocols at Dubai International Airport. It also echoes a 2015 Germanwings crash where a co-pilot locked the captain out of the cockpit, though aviation experts note that current protocols do not fully prevent internal cockpit threats. The event occurs ahead of Israeli parliamentary elections on October 27, where national security is a central issue for Netanyahu.

How outlets are covering it

Outlets diverged on the nature of the incident. BBC News and NBC News reported that Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, characterized the event as a 'jihadist terror attack' or 'attempted hijacking.' In contrast, Flydubai and US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin described it as an 'altercation' with no credible threat to the US. CNN noted that while Israeli officials praised the passengers' heroism, some families refused to board the replacement Flydubai flight, demanding an Israeli carrier instead. BBC Verify confirmed tail fin damage, attributing it to abnormal stress during the descent, while former pilot Emma Henderson noted that no existing protocol could have prevented such an internal attack.

Why it matters

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in aviation security regarding internal cockpit threats and the lack of air marshals on non-Israeli flights. It has prompted Israel to increase security checks for international pilots and raised questions about pilot vetting. The diplomatic friction between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which facilitated the emergency landing, underscores the complexities of regional relations in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

What to watch

Investigations into the motive and weapon used are ongoing. Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Israel until the investigation concludes. Israel is implementing stricter security protocols for pilots entering the country. The attacker, identified as an Omani national, is being interrogated by Saudi authorities, while Captain Machchhar remains in stable condition in a Tabuk hospital.