Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ordered authorities to “ramp up” security on both Israeli and foreign carriers operating to and from the country following the flydubai cockpit incident, the Prime Minister’s Office said.The move came after Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a violent confrontation between the pilots.Netanyahu described the episode as a “highly severe security incident”. In a video address, he said, “During the flight as they approached the country one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot. Apparently he tried to crash the plane with its occupants.” Netanyahu said “almost all” passengers were Israelis and that some passengers, along with crew members, broke into the cockpit after the aircraft began to dive. “I spoke with one of the Israeli passengers. He told me that the plane went into a spin and began to dive. He told me that somehow he managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew members and together they neutralized the stabbing pilot while he was trying to sabotage the aircraft’s systems,” he said.The pilot who was stabbed has been identified in media reports as Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, a flydubai captain based in Dubai. His co-pilot was identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national who allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft. The Boeing 737 reportedly descended rapidly during the confrontation before passengers and crew intervened. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where both pilots were taken to hospital.
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Flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred on board but has not publicly confirmed the identities or nationalities of the pilots.Netanyahu also said another crew member subsequently entered the cockpit and helped stabilise the aircraft. “Another air crew that was on the plane entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the plane,” he said. He praised those who intervened, saying: “I salute these heroes who showed exceptional resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster.”
