October 3, 2026 — Update to our October 2 story. UAE prosecutors said on Saturday that the co-pilot who attacked his captain on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on September 30 attempted a terrorist act. flydubai’s Israel flights remain suspended with no restart date. Meanwhile, Houthi missiles struck southern Saudi Arabia on October 2 and 3, and another tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz.
UAE–Israel flights
- Finding: UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the co-pilot used the cockpit crash axe. The investigation continues.
- flydubai: Israel flights stay suspended, resumption TBA. The airline told Israel’s Channel 12 it was ready to resume but that Israeli officials required the cancellations. That account rests on one outlet.
- Etihad: Abu Dhabi–Tel Aviv continues under a strict security protocol, the Times of Israel reports.
- Repatriation flights: Arkia flew the first one from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Friday night, October 2. El Al expected its first on Saturday night, October 3, and Israir also plans flights. Passengers may bring one personal bag; suitcases go separately as cargo.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen
- October 3: a ballistic missile aimed at the Asir region; shrapnel injured one person (Anadolu).
- October 2: a projectile hit a school in Najran, damaging property. The coalition intercepted missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait; reports differ on whether there were three or four.
- Riyadh: a witness told AFP of smoke and fire near an Aramco facility on October 3. Saudi authorities had not confirmed it, and we found no report on the airport.
- Yemen: Houthi media reported heavy Saudi air strikes on Sanaa. Saudi Arabia had not commented.
- Airspace: an EASA bulletin issued September 30, valid to November 16, advises airlines to avoid a defined area of southern Saudi airspace.
- US advisory: Saudi Arabia is Level 3 (dated September 15), with do-not-travel for the Yemen border region. No change.
Strait of Hormuz and Gulf airspace
- Tanker: the UK maritime agency UKMTO reported a tanker leaving the Strait hit by an unknown projectile on October 2. A small fire was put out, no one was hurt, and the ship sailed on. Arab News calls it the fifth such attack in recent days.
- Kuwait: airspace stays closed to overflights. Safe Airspace says the restriction now runs into November; the exact date is TBA.
- Airlines: no new multi-airline suspensions found. Philippine Airlines resumed Manila–Dubai on October 2. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are operating with scattered cancellations and delays, Gulf News reports.
What it means for airline travelers
- Dubai–Tel Aviv: do not plan on it. The repatriation flights are for travelers already stranded and carry tight baggage limits.
- Southern Saudi Arabia: Asir, Najran and the border region are under fire. Avoid non-essential travel there and check your airline before any flight to Abha or Najran.
- Standby through the Gulf: with several carriers still out, the flights that operate are fuller. Hold a confirmed backup or leave extra days.
- Routings change: closed and restricted airspace means longer flights and missed connections. Leave long layovers.
- Enroll in STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad before you go.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in ‘terrorist act’: UAE
- AP via ABC News — Co-pilot in FlyDubai attack is identified, and other Mideast developments
- The Times of Israel — Liveblog, October 2, 2026
- The Times of Israel — Liveblog, October 3, 2026
- Ynet — Dubai rescue flights to Israel cleared after last-minute security crisis threatens operation
- Anadolu via Anews — Houthis claim Saudi airstrikes targeted Sanaa, telecom network in Yemen
- Arab News — Tanker struck in the Strait of Hormuz
- Gulf News — US-Iran conflict: What UAE residents need to know today (Oct. 2, 2026)
- Safe Airspace — Saudi Arabia
- Safe Airspace — Kuwait
- U.S. Department of State — Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory
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