- El Al has been forced to cancel its first rescue flights to Dubai after Israeli authorities revoked landing permissions, the company announced on Friday morning.
- The Transportation Ministry stated that flights from Dubai to Israel were agreed for Friday, October 2, but a delay is expected due to security preparations.
- According to estimates, more than 10,000 Israelis are stranded in Dubai and other destinations due to the cancellation of flights.
- Israir announced it had received final approvals from Emirati authorities, and flights would be departing from Israel to Dubai during the day, while El Al made no similar announcement.
- Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar described fighting to open the cockpit door while being attacked mid-air, stating he "could not let people die."
- Captain Machchhar has been hailed as a hero after his actions allowed passengers to enter the cockpit and subdue the attacker during the flight.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the incident involving the Flydubai flight could have been "another 9/11".
- Citizens currently in Dubai are advised to remain in contact with their airlines for updates regarding their flights.
El Al Israel Airlines has canceled its first rescue flights to Dubai after authorities revoked landing permissions, leaving over 10,000 Israelis stranded. The airline announced it would resume flights once official permission is granted.1
The Transportation Ministry indicated that flights operated by Israeli airlines from Dubai to Israel would begin on October 2, but delays are expected due to security preparations.2
In a separate incident, Smit Machchhar, a Flydubai captain, described his harrowing experience during a mid-air attack where he was stabbed by his co-pilot. He fought to open the cockpit door, stating, "I could not let people die." His actions allowed passengers to subdue the attacker as the aircraft plunged thousands of feet.5
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar, saying, "The whole country can proudly say that we Indians are not people who take lives, we are people who save lives." The co-pilot, an Omani national, has been arrested, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the incident could have been "another 9/11."7
India's embassy in the UAE confirmed that Machchhar is recovering and in "good health" after the attack.
“Over 10,000 Israelis remain stranded in Dubai as Israir received final approvals and began flights, but El Al did not. The Flydubai co-pilot, an Omani national, was arrested, and Netanyahu suggested the incident could have been 'another 9/11'.”
The Jerusalem Post
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