Israel to ramp up pilot checks after flydubai scare

Israel is set to increase security checks on pilots flying into the country following a shocking incident on a FlyDubai flight, where a co-pilot stabbed his pilot and attempted to crash the plane. The incident, which occurred on September 30, 2021, involved FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel carrying 174 passengers, almost all of whom were Israelis.

The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia after passengers subdued the attacker. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the co-pilot, an Indian national named Captain Smit Machchhar, was seriously injured but managed to fight back and open the cockpit door. Israeli officials have vowed to implement stricter security measures, emphasizing that Israel already has some of the toughest security checks in the world.

Aviation experts have pointed out that pilots undergo extensive background checks, continuous medical and psychological assessments, and are subject to the same security screenings as passengers. The incident has raised concerns about pilot vetting and security protocols not just in the Middle East but globally, especially given the rise in antisemitism worldwide.