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The UAE has described the attack aboard the Flydubai flight as a “terrorist act”, while the investigation into the incident and its motive continues.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Two days after the Flydubai plane attack, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that whoever may have sent the Omani co-pilot to attack the Captain Smit Machchhar and “crash” the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight would “pay a very heavy price”.
In a video message posted on X on Friday, Netanyahu said the picture surrounding the incident was becoming clearer, while stressing that an investigation was still underway into whether the attacker had been sent.
Netanyahu warns of ‘very heavy price’
“As time goes on, the picture is becoming clearer. The attacker underwent Islamist radicalization. He intended to crash the plane with its passengers on board,” Netanyahu said.
“We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” he added. Netanyahu’s remarks came as authorities continued to investigate the circumstances and motive behind the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
UAE calls incident a ‘terrorist act’
The UAE has described the attack aboard the Flydubai flight as a “terrorist act”while the investigation into the incident and its motive continues. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash made the remarks while praising Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during the mid-air emergency.
At A Glance
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that whoever sent the Omani co-pilot to attack Captain Smit Machchhar would pay a heavy price.
The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The UAE described the attack aboard the Flydubai flight as a “terrorist act”.
Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot, leaving both pilots injured.
The aircraft later landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Gargash said Machchhar “deserves every appreciation” for confronting what he described as a serious terrorist act and a potential disaster. He also praised the Indian pilot’s “courage and responsibility” during the incident.
“Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar deserves the highest praise. In confronting a serious terrorist act and a potential catastrophe, he embodied courage and responsibility,” Gargash wrote on X. Gargash also described Machchhar as a “true hero”, praising his professionalism and moral conviction under extremely difficult circumstances.
At the same time, Gargash urged people to avoid “simplistic interpretations” and the promotion of “conspiracy theories”. He said vigilance and preparedness remained important in dealing with the threat posed by extremism and terrorism.
What happened aboard Flydubai FZ1073?
The remarks came two days after Flydubai flight FZ1073 was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia following an altercation inside the cockpit.
According to Saudi authorities, the captain was attacked by his co-pilot, leaving both pilots injured. The aircraft later landed safely at Tabuk Airport.
During the incident, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries. This allowed passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the attacker. Other pilots travelling on the aircraft then helped take control of the plane. Machchhar was later transferred to the UAE for treatment and is recovering.
Probe examines planning, terrorist link
The UAE had earlier ordered a formal investigation into the incident. The probe is examining the circumstances and motive behind the attack, including whether it was connected to “any terrorist activity or purpose” and whether it involved “prior planning or direction”.
The UAE has also stressed that its judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the case because the aircraft is registered in the country and operates under its flag.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information while the investigation continues. Gargash’s comments mark the first public characterisation of the incident as a “terrorist act” by a senior UAE official. However, the formal investigation into the attack and its motive is still underway.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit where the captain was attacked by his co-pilot. Despite his injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers, crew members, and other traveling pilots to intervene, restrain the attacker, and safely land the aircraft at Tabuk Airport.
Ask News18About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
October 02, 2026, 7:18 PM IST
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