A flydubai pilot has been called a hero for averting a potential disaster on flight FZ 1073.
Indian aviator Smit Machchhar was publicly named by the Israeli Prime Minister and recognised for his actions. India's embassy in Riyadh said he was in a stable condition.
Details of what happened on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on Wednesday morning are still shrouded in confusion, but the Boeing 737 plunged 14,000ft during a cockpit altercation before it diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "one of the pilots stabbed the second pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board". He said Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was the captain attacked by his colleague.
Mr Netanyahu paid tribute to Mr Machchhar's "extraordinary bravery". Almost all of the 174 passengers on the flight were Israelis, he said.
"Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster," Mr Netanyahu wrote on X.
"Today, our hearts are with him and his family," Israel's parliament speaker Amir Ohana also wrote on X.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X: "Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.
"In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.
"His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.
"India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health."
The first officer was subdued by passengers, according to videos widely published in Israeli media.
Two flydubai flight crew members who were on the plane were able to take the controls and land the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Disaster averted on Israel flight - in pictures
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Flydubai flight FZ1073, on its way to Israel from Dubai, was diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30 after an in-flight security incident that led to the stabbing of its pilot. Photo: Kann Media -
Yaniv Hayun, one of the men who helped incapacitate the attacker, at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Reuters -
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero for saving passengers despite being stabbed. Reuters -
A second flydubai plane was sent to Saudi Arabia to retrieve the stranded passengers and return them to Israel. Getty Images -
Assaf Regavim, who filmed a video from inside the cabin and helped to overpower the attacker, talks to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport. Getty Images -
A relieved passenger from Flight FZ1073 after landing in Israel. Getty Images -
Ambulances are kept at the ready as passengers arrive in Israel on the second flydubai aircraft. Reuters -
A passenger exits through the domestic arrivals doors with his dog and his luggage at Ben Gurion Airport. Getty Images -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Yaniv Hayun, a passenger on the diverted flydubai plane. Reuters
UAE, Saudi and Israeli officials are investigating. No details about the first officer have been released, and a series of earlier media reports about the two pilots' nationalities were inaccurate.
Mr Netanyahu, who was the first to release much of the information around the drama, did so amid intense political backlash in Israel and accusations that he is politicising the incident to boost his election campaign.
Israeli and Indian media outlets widely shared the captain's picture to great fanfare.
