A Flydubai replacement aircraft carrying passengers from Flight FZ1073 landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv after the original Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a serious incident in the cockpit.

The replacement flight landed at Ben Gurion at around 15:34 GMT on Wednesday, according to flight-tracking data. Israeli officials said the aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at Ben Gurion Airport to welcome passengers arriving on the replacement flight. His office also said that security measures for pilots and flights operated by Israeli and foreign airlines would be strengthened following the incident.

What happened aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073?

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when an altercation occurred in the cockpit.

Netanyahu said one of the pilots stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft. He said passengers and a crew member intervened after the aircraft began losing altitude and managed to overpower the attacker.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

However, Flydubai has described the incident as an altercation in the flight deck and said the underlying reasons and motives remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation. The airline has urged against premature speculation.

Emergency landing in Saudi Arabia

The aircraft was forced to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely after the emergency.

Flight-tracking data showed a dramatic loss of altitude during the incident. According to Flightradar24 data cited by international media, the aircraft dropped by roughly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds at one point during the flight.

Passengers and crew members reportedly entered the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker, after which other pilots on board took control of the aircraft and brought it safely to Tabuk.

The injured captain was identified by Israeli officials as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. He was taken for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was also injured and was taken into custody as authorities began investigating the incident.

Investigation underway

The exact motive behind the cockpit confrontation has not yet been established.

Flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred aboard FZ1073 and that the aircraft was secured by Flydubai crew members travelling on the flight. The airline said the investigation would determine the circumstances and underlying reasons for the incident.

The incident has prompted Israel to review aviation security procedures, including security arrangements involving pilots operating flights to the country.

All passengers were ultimately accounted for and safely transported to Israel on the replacement aircraft.