Sydney couple among passengers on board flydubai flight diverted after stabbing
Two Australian citizens were on board the flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv that saw a pilot stabbed in an alleged attempted hijacking.
The couple, from Sydney’s east, were on flight FZ1073 when the aircraft plummeted more than 5.3 kilometres in just over two minutes in Saudi Arabian airspace.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the Australians’ presence on the flight, saying she was relieved to know they were safe.
“Thanks to the heroes who thwarted the attack and helped bring the passengers to safety,” she said in the social media post.
“We’re thinking of those injured and hope for their full recovery.”
According to flight tracking data, the plane made an erratic circle near the Jordanian border before landing in Tabuk, where passengers were later put on alternative flights to Israel.
The flight’s co-pilot allegedly stabbed its captain and momentarily took control of the plane, sending it plunging downwards.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos inside the cabin, with photos and videos posted on X showing a man with blood on his shirt during a fight to restrain the attacker.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the pilot who stabbed his colleague was an Omani national who served as co-pilot on the flight.
Netanyahu praised the passengers and crew who stepped in to subdue the man, saying they “prevented a major disaster.”
The wounded pilot, identified by Netanyahu as Indian national Smit Machchhar, fought back and unlocked the cabin door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
Video shot from aboard the Flydubai flight subjected to an attempted hijacking. Nine
Speaking with CNN, the Israeli prime minister said he expects the suspect, who is in Saudi custody, to be extradited to the United Arab Emirates.
“I spoke to the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and he agreed that Israel would join the interrogation,” Netanyahu said.
He added Israel had recent intelligence regarding planned attacks against its citizens abroad by Iran and its proxy militias.
“So we’ll find out very soon if Iran had anything to do with it,” he said.
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