Flydubai Suspends Flights to Israel After Pilot Alleges Attempt to Shoot Down Plane

UAE-based flydubai Airlines has stopped flights to Israel. Flydubai announced that all flights to and from Israel have been suspended during the investigation into the pilot's attempt to crash a passenger plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. "This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and uncover the full facts of the incident. We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and maintaining the highest security standards across our network," a Flydubai Spokesperson said in a statement.

"We continue to coordinate closely with government officials, regulatory bodies and airport stakeholders. We will re-evaluate the suspension decision as we obtain more information," the spokesman said.

PILOT TRIED TO DROP THE PLANE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that one of the pilots stabbed the other as the flydubai plane, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, approached Israel, and stated that the pilot tried to crash the plane with the passengers. Stating that an Israeli passenger and a cabin attendant managed to enter the cockpit and stopped the pilot who tried to damage the aircraft systems, the Israeli Prime Minister added that later, another cabin attendant entered the cockpit and managed to take the plane under control. Netanyahu had said, "The pilot has been arrested and is currently being questioned by Saudi authorities."