Flydubai captain describes in-flight attack; Israir completes Dubai repatriation

A Flydubai captain has described being assaulted in the cockpit during a flight. Captain Smit Machchhar said his co-pilot asked to pray, then struck him from behind several minutes later. He said he first believed the aircraft had been badly damaged before he understood he was under attack.

Speaking by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar said he pushed his way to the cockpit door and opened it so that people outside could step in. His account was issued in a video from the prime minister's office. It is the captain's testimony, not a concluded investigative finding.

Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take part in Israel's next Independence Day torch ceremony. The formal selection process is separate from that invitation.

Separately, Israir confirmed that a dedicated flight carrying passengers' luggage arrived in Israel overnight on 2-3 October. It followed the airline's repatriation service from Dubai, which carried about 180 travellers. In a statement quoted by Ynet, Israir said both aircraft completed their journeys. The airline added that it would operate more repatriation flights in the days ahead.

A clarification to an earlier account: Israel's Defence Ministry had ordered additional cargo flights, but at the time their departure had not been confirmed.

Australian authorities have opened an inquiry, according to the source extract, which does not give further detail on its scope.