TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An attack on a pilot by a co-pilot attempting to crash a Tel Aviv-bound flight has caused a crisis in the region's travel industry, raising concerns about aviation security amid ongoing tensions related to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a FlyDubai flight from Dubai, which was carrying 182 people. The motive of the co-pilot remains unknown, and a regional investigation is currently underway.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended all flights to Israel, complicating travel for many passengers. Israel and the UAE have arranged repatriation flights starting Friday to assist stranded travelers, although it is unclear if these flights have commenced. El Al, Israel's national carrier, reported that the UAE was delaying necessary landing permits for flights into Dubai.
The Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv had flights from carriers Arkia and Israir scheduled to arrive from Dubai late Friday and early Saturday, with El Al expected to operate flights from Dubai to Israel on Sunday.
Since the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE in 2020, Dubai has become a popular destination for Israeli travelers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot, identified as an Omani citizen, had undergone 'Islamist radicalization,' although he did not provide evidence to support this claim. Netanyahu also indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine if the co-pilot was sent by an external entity.
President Donald Trump mentioned that preliminary information suggests a potential link to Tehran, stating that if Iranian agents were involved, the U.S. would respond strongly. Israeli investigators are participating in the investigation, but Emirati authorities are leading the inquiry. An official noted that there is currently no evidence linking the attack to Iran.
UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash characterized the incident as a 'dangerous terrorist act' and praised the flight captain for averting a catastrophe. The UAE government faces scrutiny regarding its reputation for security, as it has previously been criticized for lapses in this area.
Details of the flight reveal that it made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot's attack. The captain, Smit Machchhar, who was injured, is recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi. He described the harrowing experience in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recounting the struggle for survival during the attack.
The aircraft experienced a rapid altitude drop during the incident, with passengers reporting sounds of a fight in the cockpit. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to restrain the co-pilot. Passengers assisted the injured captain while ensuring the attacker was subdued. Reports indicate that there was no visible weapon found on the co-pilot during the incident.
Madhani reported from Jerusalem. AP writers contributed reporting from various locations, including Brussels and Washington.