The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced the completion of passenger transport operations to Tel Aviv following the temporary suspension of flydubai flights, having operated 37 flights carrying 7,479 travelers from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport since Friday, October 2, 2026. State authorities issued permits for Israeli carriers to operate flights to Dubai alongside services run by Etihad Airways, creating alternative travel options while regular scheduled routes faced temporary disruption.
Aviation authorities conclude coordination process for stranded passengers
The General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the coordination process to return stranded passengers whose journeys were disrupted has fully concluded, with all affected travelers safely returned to their destinations. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways continues to operate scheduled flights to Tel Aviv, broadening available travel choices for the public.
Aviation authorities maintain ongoing coordination with all relevant entities and airlines to support the continuity of air transport and passenger services. Israeli media reported that the Israeli airline Arkia launched the first flight to return stranded Israeli travelers from Dubai, following the cancellation of scheduled return flights by national carrier El Al due to initial coordination requirements with UAE security authorities.
Did You Know? The flydubai flight involved in the initial incident carried 172 passengers, including 166 Israelis alongside crew members, before its emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Officials investigate co-pilot accused of terrorist operation
Israeli Channel 13 reported that a team of Israeli officials traveled to the UAE to participate in the investigation regarding the Omani co-pilot, identified in press reports as Hamam Al-Hamami, who is accused of attempting to down the flydubai aircraft. The probe involves four countries and seeks to determine if Al-Hamami previously served on flights landing in Israel. Reports indicate Al-Hamami was born to an Omani father and a Syrian mother. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that investigations revealed the co-pilot initiated a terrorist operation during the flight, attacking the Indian captain with an axe inside the cockpit, and the captain successfully opened the cockpit door despite his injuries.
UAE Presidential Advisor Anwar Gargash described the attack as a serious terrorist act, emphasizing that the regional struggle against extremism remains ongoing. Gargash wrote on X that justifying terrorism through hate speech is a central part of the danger.
Senior official calls incident major security and intelligence failure
A senior Israeli security official called the incident a “major security and intelligence failure,” noting that Al-Hamami had recently entered Israel. The official suggested that the co-pilot could have attempted to crash the plane into sensitive targets and urged a ban on pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel entering the country. While foreign airlines must provide crew lists, the Israeli Ministry of Transport stated it did not receive this data directly, as it is held by a specialized department within the Israel Tax Authority.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Omani authorities had previously banned the co-pilot from flying or operating within Omani territory due to security concerns regarding extremist ideas. It remains unclear if Oman shared these early concerns with regional airlines or other nations, or the specific nature of the extremist views held by Al-Hamami.
Airlines transport thousands of passengers during temporary flight suspension
How many passengers were transported during the temporary flight suspension?
The General Civil Aviation Authority reported that 37 flights carried 7,479 passengers from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport starting Friday, October 2, 2026.
Which airlines provided alternative travel options to Tel Aviv?
State authorities issued permits for Israeli carriers to operate flights to Dubai alongside ongoing scheduled operations by Etihad Airways and repatriation flights by Israel’s Arkia.
What prompted the temporary suspension of flydubai operations?
The disruptions followed an incident on Wednesday involving an attack inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which prompted an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight is identified as flight 1073.
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