The Israeli Prime Minister has said that the near-plane crash in the Middle East on Wednesday could have resulted in “a 9/11 tragedy, with bodies scattered in the desert”.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a violent altercation in the cockpit forced the Boeing 737-8 MAX to divert to Saudi Arabia.
Israeli authorities said the first officer stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the plane, which dived thousands of feet in barely 30 seconds. Crew and passengers managed to restrain the first officer and two other reserve pilots took control of the plane, which made an emergency landing at Tabuk.
The incident is being investigated by Israeli and Saudi authorities, so its precise circumstances and motive are currently uncertain. However, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the first officer appeared to be trying to down the plane.
“It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane”, he said, claiming: “We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination. That appears to be something we are gathering from his personal information.” He emphasised that those were current indications rather than final conclusions.
Flydubai has confirmed an “altercation” took place, but urged people not to speculate.
The United Arab Emirates is also investigating “whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose, or involved prior planning or direction”.
Israel has already said it will increase aviation security, but the events raise more questions for British travellers around the safety of flying to the country and other parts of the Middle East right now, after months of disruption to airspace caused by the war in Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Yaniv Hayun, a passenger on the Flydubai flight, at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel (Photo: GPO/ Reuters)Different countries carry different risks
There is no single security assessment for the region because risk depends on the destination, route and airspace crossed. The relevant question for passengers is whether their specific destination and route are suitable for civilian aviation.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has separate conflict-zone assessments covering several Middle Eastern airspaces, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and parts of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Israel has its own aviation assessment.
On Wednesday the EASA issued an advisory to airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, following a recent increase in attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis, although it did not mention the Flydubai incident. In a separate bulletin, however, it recommended flights not operate within the airspace of Jordan at all altitudes and flight levels, a change from a previous advisory to exercise caution.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides country-specific advice, including warnings against travel to Gaza, areas close to the Gaza border and parts of northern Israel and the West Bank. On Wednesday it told The i Paper: “There is currently no change to our travel advice, but this remains under regular review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British nationals.”
Conflict and navigation interference remain concerns
Military activity is a principal risk near conflict zones. Missiles, drones, air-defence systems and debris from intercepted weapons can endanger civilian aircraft, while airspace restrictions can force cancellations or rerouting.
Aircraft operating in the Middle East have also experienced GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, including jamming and spoofing. However, commercial airliners have alternative navigation systems that crews are trained to use when GNSS is degraded or unavailable.
For passengers, the likely consequence is a changed route or cancelled flight rather than an aircraft losing its ability to navigate.
El Al planes have anti-missile systems and bulletproof, double doors, one of which is locked at all times (Photo: Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Cockpit security has multiple layers
But the Flydubai incident presents a different challenge because the reported threat came from inside the flight deck.
Airline personnel undergo security and background checks, while pilots receive continuing training and assessment. Airlines also operate security-management systems, although detailed cockpit-protection procedures are not publicly disclosed.
The industry has strengthened its approach to pilot wellbeing following deliberate acts by flight crew. In 2015, Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally crashed an Airbus A320 into the French Alps, killing all 150 people aboard. He had been treated for suicidal tendencies and declared unfit to work. The disaster led to sweeping changes in pilot medical and psychological assessment.
For passengers flying to Israel, the country already employs some of the most stringent aviation security checks in the world. This includes armed air marshals on every international flight undertaken by an Israeli airline, while El Al planes have anti-missile systems and bulletproof, double doors, one of which is locked at all times.
However, foreign carriers like Flydubai do not have the same measures in place. Under Flydubai’s deal with Israel, pilots must be from countries that have normalised relations with Israel, according the Jerusalem Post. The attacker is reportedly from Oman, which has not normalised relations.
Flydubai flights to and from Israel have been suspended during the investigation. Israel has said it will increase checks on pilots flying into the country.
Airlines are reassessing Middle East routes
Airlines continue to operate services to parts of the region, although routes and schedules have been disrupted during periods of heightened tension.
Carriers assess the entire journey, including the airspace along the route, rather than simply whether a destination airport is open. Flights can therefore be cancelled, diverted or rerouted even when the destination remains operational.
British passengers should check their airline’s latest information before travelling, particularly if connecting through the region.
Former airline captain, aviation expert and keynote speaker Emma Henderson MBE calls for a pragmatic approach: “While this was undoubtedly a shocking incident that could have ended in tragedy, it does not make air travel unsafe per se,” she told The i Paper.
“We can expect to see increased security measures, particularly on flights to and from the region, but passengers should not be afraid to fly. We still do not know what motivated the incident. The preliminary report is due within seven days and may provide more information, although the full investigation will naturally take longer.”
What should British passengers do?
Travellers should check the latest government travel advice for their specific destination and any warnings covering particular areas. They should also confirm their flight status with the airline and make sure their travel insurance is valid, as travelling against official government advice can affect cover.
Once abroad, follow instructions from airline staff and local authorities, avoid demonstrations and restricted areas, and stay away from military and security installations.
Airlines and aviation authorities will continue to reassess individual routes.
The Flydubai incident is a reminder that commercial aviation faces varied threats, from conflict and drones to navigation interference and, in rare cases, an insider attack.
It does not mean every flight to the Middle East carries the same level of risk. British passengers should assess their particular destination and journey, check official and airline advice, and be prepared for plans to change if conditions deteriorate.
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