• Flydubai flight FZ1073 diverted to Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot stabbed the pilot.
• Incident raised fears of a hijacking, leading to Israeli fighter jets being scrambled.
• Passengers intervened, helping to subdue the co-pilot and safely landing the aircraft.

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying around 180 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. The incident prompted the flight to transmit emergency signals, including the unlawful interference code, raising immediate alarm over a potential hijacking, which was later ruled out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who confirmed that the situation was under control according to middleeasteye and bbc.

As the aircraft descended erratically, losing nearly 14,000 feet in a short time, passengers reported hearing screams and witnessed a chaotic scene inside the cockpit. Israeli media described a dramatic intervention by several passengers who entered the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot, and assisted a second team of pilots present to safely land the aircraft in Tabuk. Footage showed blood on the cockpit floor, with the captain injured during the altercation, as reported by Reuters and CBS News.

Upon landing, the Saudi authorities responded quickly, hospitalizing both the pilot and co-pilot. Israeli officials praised the intervention of the passengers, with Netanyahu stating, “This is something you do without thinking, just running to save your daughter’s life,” highlighting the extraordinary efforts made to prevent a disaster according to Reuters, and Times of India.

Following the incident, Israel announced plans to increase security checks on pilots flying into the country, underlining ongoing concerns about aviation security. Netanyahu's office confirmed that an investigation into the co-pilot's motives was underway, amidst speculation regarding a possible terror-related motive, although the co-pilot’s identity as an Omani national was revealed, raising questions about international protocols between Israel and neighboring countries as discussed in reports by Reuters and Times of India.

Ultimately, all 174 passengers were safely transported to Tel Aviv later in the day, with many expressing gratitude for surviving what they called a miraculous escape from a life-threatening situation, as covered by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.