An Omani co‑pilot wielding an axe stormed the cockpit of a Tel Aviv‑bound aircraft and struck Indian captain Smit Machchar with a depressed skull fracture, forcing the flight crew to maintain control under duress. The incident left more than 170 passengers—most of them Israeli nationals—flying in a tense atmosphere while emergency services on board dealt with the pilot’s severe injuries.
Flydubai, citing a nearly finished investigation and the dismissal of several employees, had formally requested permission to resume flights to Israel. The airline argued that the incident was isolated and that safety protocols were now fully restored.
Transport Minister Miri Regev, speaking on behalf of the Netanyahu government, declined the request, citing unresolved safety concerns and the need for a thorough review before any aircraft could land in Israeli airspace.
In a diplomatic overture, Israeli officials announced that members of the transportation ministry will visit Dubai next week to discuss the incident and the broader implications for international aviation security.
Until the investigation reaches a conclusion, flydubai’s operations to Israel remain suspended, and the forthcoming ministerial delegation is expected to outline the conditions under which the airline might be allowed to return to the skies.