Tel Aviv: Israel’s Foreign Ministry said a Flydubai flight carrying 172 people was saved after Israeli passengers, an Indian pilot and the UAE cabin crew acted together to stop an attempted hijacking.
According to the ministry, the plot involved an Omani co-pilot who allegedly tried to seize control of the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight. The Indian pilot, identified as Smid Macharu, was credited with thwarting the attempt and has received widespread praise.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke to the pilot over the phone, the report said.
In its statement, the Foreign Ministry claimed the attacker intended to crash the aircraft and kill everyone on board, but was confronted by “courageous” Israeli passengers, with support from the Indian pilot and Emirati crew.
Israel said the cooperation among Israelis, Emiratis and Indians against terrorism reflects what it called the future of the region and the world.
