Nir Barkat, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, took to NDTV on Tuesday to detail a thwarted midair attack that occurred on 29 March 2024 when an Omani national co‑pilot attempted to hijack a flydubai flight bound for Tel‑Aviv. The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, opened the cockpit door in a split‑second decision that allowed three Israeli passengers to seize the co‑pilot, preventing a catastrophic crash that could have claimed the lives of the 180 passengers on board.
Barkat framed the incident as part of a global battle against terror, urging the establishment of a worldwide screening mechanism for aviation personnel. He cited the swift actions of the passengers—an exemplar of Israel’s security mindset shaped by continuous training—as a model for proactive risk mitigation. The minister also noted that Israeli security agencies have already begun probing the co‑pilot’s background for potential extremist ties.
In a broader diplomatic context, Barkat highlighted ongoing negotiations with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal over a free‑trade agreement slated for early next year. He said the collaboration between Israel and India is rooted in shared counter‑terrorism priorities and defense cooperation, framing the two nations as complementary partners in a rapidly changing security landscape.
The investigation now involves authorities from India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, who are examining the Omani national’s network links. Barkat stressed that no radical element should occupy key positions in aviation, and that the incident underscored the urgent need for standardized, global pilot vetting procedures.