Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel following an alleged failed terror plot involving one of the airline’s copilots.
The suspension comes after a Sept. 30 emergency aboard Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Israel when its 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Capt. Smit Machchhar with a crash axe inside the cockpit.
“Flydubai flights to and from Israel are suspended until further notice,” a company spokesperson confirmed to The Post.
“We remain in close coordination with the relevant authorities and regulators, and will communicate any updates regarding our flights through our official channels.”
Investigators allege that the attack was part of a premeditated plan to hijack the Boeing 737 and crash it into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport—or, alternatively, a tower block in the city—in an attempt to cause a 9/11-style disaster.
The terrifying confrontation reportedly began while the aircraft was cruising at about 34,000 feet.
As the struggle continued in the cockpit, the plane plunged 17,000 feet within two minutes through a series of dramatic descents.
Although Machchhar suffered serious injuries, he reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door. Crew members and passengers then entered the cockpit and subdued the alleged attacker.
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Two other qualified pilots who were traveling on the flight took control, stabilized the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where they completed a safe emergency landing.
All 172 passengers and eight crew members survived the incident.
The suspected attacker was taken into custody. The injured captain received medical treatment and has since returned to the United Arab Emirates.
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said he was relieved that everyone aboard survived and praised those whose actions helped avert a catastrophe.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to our captain, the pilots who secured the aircraft and landed it safely, as well as our cabin crew. I extend our sincere gratitude to the passengers on board who assisted our crew during a challenging situation,” Al Ghaith said in a Sept. 30 statement.
Al Ghaith said Flydubai is cooperating with authorities and working around the clock to support the passengers affected by the incident.
“I know there are many questions about what happened on board FZ1073. A full official investigation, led by the relevant authorities and fully supported by Flydubai, is underway,” he said. “It is important that we allow this process to establish the facts.”
“Safety is, and always will be, our highest priority.”
