{
  "id": 11187485,
  "title": "flydubai halts flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv after attempted hijacking",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/flydubai-halts-flights-between-dubai-and-tel-aviv-after-attempted",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T12:21:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Semafor",
    "slug": "semafor",
    "url": "https://www.semafor.com/article/10/01/2026/flydubai-halts-flights-between-dubai-and-tel-aviv-after-attempted-hijacking"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Flydubai has suspended all flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv following an attempted hijacking of a plane bound for Israel, leaving hundreds of Israeli passengers stranded in the United Arab Emirates. Emirati authorities launched an investigation into the incident, which also implicates Saudi Arabia. The motive behind the attack remains unknown. The assault caused the Boeing 737 MAX to plummet 15,000 feet in less than a minute, severing part of the rudder from its tail. Despite sustaining injuries, the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, fought back against the hijacker and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Two additional pilots, who were on board as a precautionary measure, took control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities subsequently detained the hijacker and questioned passengers and crew for approximately seven hours before arranging for a replacement plane to transport them to Tel Aviv.",
  "summary": "Emirati prosecutors opened an investigation after a co-pilot stabbed his captain mid-flight, asserting jurisdiction over the crime.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Suspected security incident on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, authorities investigating",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/suspected-security-incident-on-dubai-tel-aviv-flight-authorities",
        "published": "2026-09-30T06:44:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Flight to Tel Aviv diverted after emergency signal activated",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/flight-to-tel-aviv-diverted-after-emergency-signal-activated",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:10:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv lands in Saudi Arabia after distress code",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-lands-in-saudi-arabia-after-distress-code",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:46:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Flight to Tel Aviv diverts to Saudi Arabia after reported feud between pilots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/flight-to-tel-aviv-diverts-to-saudi-arabia-after-reported-feud",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:59:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "Dubai-Tel Aviv flight lands in Saudi after on-board ‘incident’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dubai-tel-aviv-flight-lands-in-saudi-after-on-board-incident-10901074",
        "published": "2026-09-30T08:57:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "'3 or 4 people saved 180': Passengers recount horror on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/3-or-4-people-saved-180-passengers-recount-horror-on-dubai-tel-aviv",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:43:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "A flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv dropped 17,000 feet, then sent a hijack warning. Here's what we know.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/a-flight-between-dubai-and-tel-aviv-dropped-17-000-feet-then-sent-a",
        "published": "2026-09-30T11:56:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MercoPress",
        "title": "Pilot stabs another on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight and passengers subdue him",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/pilot-stabs-another-on-a-dubai-tel-aviv-flight-and-passengers-subdue",
        "published": "2026-09-30T18:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}