‘Fighter jets in air’: How Israel prepared for worst-case scenario during Flydubai scare

UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight

NEW DELHI: Israel scrambled fighter jets after a Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft transmitted emergency signals amid an alleged attempt by its co-pilot to crash the plane, but the warplanes did not have to take action as passengers and crew managed to regain control and land safely in Saudi Arabia, Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar said on Thursday.Speaking to PTI Videos in New Delhi, Azar said Israel’s civil aviation authorities, air force and political leadership were immediately alerted after the aircraft reported an emergency. He said the situation was assessed as a potential threat given Israel’s small geographical size and the possibility of an aircraft reaching its territory within seconds.“Of course, immediately fighter jets were called into the air and fortunately, they didn’t have to take action,” Azar said.The envoy indicated that the situation could have escalated into a decision involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had the passengers and crew failed to regain control of the aircraft.“They had assessed the situation, and if the pilot and the crew members and the passengers wouldn’t have taken control of the plane, there could have been a situation in which the Prime Minister of Israel may have had to make a decision on the action to be taken,” he said, without elaborating.READ ALSO: Was Flydubai cockpit attack planned? UAE probe to examine possible terror linkThe incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, including 27 children. The aircraft reportedly made a sharp descent before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Indian captain, Israeli passengers helped avert disaster

Azar praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar for managing to open the cockpit door despite being attacked by his co-pilot, allowing passengers to intervene and prevent the aircraft from crashing.The envoy said three Israeli passengers onboard rushed towards the cockpit, subdued the alleged attacker and helped take preliminary control of the situation. They also called for a doctor to attend to the injured captain.“In addition to that, there were two additional pilots on the flight… that few seconds after the Israelis entered the cabin… were able to take control of the flight and actually get it to fly safely and land in Saudi Arabia,” Azar said.He said Machchhar had received appreciation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, the speaker of the Parliament and people across Israel for his actions.“So, we had here people, first of all, the Indian captain who has been really admired in Israel, both by the Prime Minister, the President, the head of the Parliament and the entire Israeli people for what he did. He saved so many lives,” Azar said.The envoy added that the combined efforts of the Indian captain, Israeli passengers, crew members and additional pilots helped turn what could have been a catastrophic incident into a safe landing.“we had a situation that from almost a secure crash of the plane, we had a secure landing and the saving of nearly 180 people,” he said.Machchhar was injured during the alleged attack and was initially stabilised onboard by an Israeli doctor. Azar said Saudi authorities were subsequently providing him medical assistance after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia had earlier identified Machchhar as an Indian national and said he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk in stable condition.READ ALSO: ‘Indomitable bravery’: Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’

Investigation underway, motive remains unclear

The envoy said the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and authorities were yet to establish the motive behind the alleged attack.“We are in a very preliminary stage. I think that following the investigation of the attacker, we’ll be able to learn more,” Azar said.The UAE’s Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi has ordered an investigation into the incident to establish its circumstances, details and motives, including whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or involved prior planning.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also said it was too early to determine whether Iran had any involvement in the incident. He indicated that Israel could participate in the investigation.The incident comes weeks ahead of Israel’s October 27 legislative election and days before the country commemorates the October 7 Hamas-led attacks in 2023.Azar referred to the timing while discussing the incident but did not establish any connection between the alleged attack and the broader regional security situation.“There’s no doubt that the timing was very sensitive, you know. We are only a few weeks before an election in Israel. We are in a situation in which we are going to commemorate the 7th of October, the beginning of next week,” he said.The Flydubai spokesperson had also urged people to avoid speculation while authorities investigate the incident, saying the underlying reasons and motives remained unknown.

Editorial note: The fighter jet angle is best framed as Israel’s military preparedness and a possible escalation scenario, rather than suggesting that Israel was preparing to shoot down the aircraft. The envoy has confirmed that jets were scrambled but has not specified what action they would have taken.