Authorities in the UAE have officially confirmed that an incident involving a flydubai flight on September 30 was a deliberate attempt by the co-pilot to commit a terrorist act. According to the Attorney General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the co-pilot attacked the flight captain using a cockpit emergency axe while the plane was mid-air, purportedly in an effort to seize control of the aircraft. The flight, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after other crew members intervened to subdue the attacker.

While the aircraft landed safely, the investigation remains ongoing to determine the co-pilot's specific motives and whether he was acting under any external direction or prior planning. Emirati and Saudi authorities are currently collaborating to analyze forensic, digital, and physical evidence collected from the flight deck. Officials have promised to share a comprehensive report once the judicial procedures are fully concluded, as they continue to piece together the events that led to such a significant mid-flight security breach.