The pilot who was attacked during a violent cockpit confrontation in the Flydubai flight was an Indian national, Israeli news website Ynet reported on Wednesday.
Ynet, citing Israeli officials, reported that the co-pilot was an Omani national and was suspected of trying to crash the aircraft. The Indian captain fought with him to prevent the aircraft from crashing, with Israeli passengers later helping subdue the co-pilot, the report said.
Both pilots were injured and hospitalised, according to Tabuk airport authorities cited by Ynet.
Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an in-flight incident and landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said it was cooperating with the relevant authorities and that all passengers were safe.
The airline has not released the identity or nationality of the pilots.
Israeli authorities feared a possible hijacking and scrambled fighter jets. The incident remains under investigation.
Netanyahu's response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday that a pilot stabbed another pilot during the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft.
Netanyahu said a passenger told him that the plane entered a tailspin and began to dive as it approached Israel, but an Israeli passenger and a crew member managed to break into the cockpit and restrain the stabbing pilot while other crew members stabilised the aircraft.
The plane landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said, adding that all passengers were safe and the pilot had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities.
Netanyahu said Israel was in contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the passengers' safe return home and had instructed the security establishment to prepare for potential additional threats.
(With inputs from PTI & Reuters)
