An Omani first officer tried to seize control of a flydubai aircraft flying over Israel on Wednesday, forcing the plane to divert and land in Saudi Arabia. The co‑pilot struck captain Smit Machchhar and tried to crash the aircraft, but the crew and passengers—most of whom were Israelis—intervened and kept the flight stable.
The hijacking exposed a long‑standing flaw: Israeli authorities have let more than 12 Omani pilots fly into the country since the 2020 Abraham Accords, despite a rule that bans pilots from nations without diplomatic ties. The system has relied on airlines to self‑screen, and the Shin Bet reportedly did not verify the nationalities of foreign crew members.
Transport Minister Parnell and the Center for Aviation Security Operations are now reviewing the clearance process. The State Comptroller’s office had already warned in 2024 that Israel’s aviation security needed overhaul.
The incident also highlighted the broader tensions in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co‑pilot had been subjected to “Islamist radical indoctrination,” a claim tied to the ongoing Saudi investigation but not yet independently confirmed.
Investigations are now underway in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, with the Shin Bet and Mossad coordinating with foreign agencies. The next phase will see concrete changes to how foreign pilots are vetted before entering Israeli airspace.