Israeli official confirms co-pilot's transfer to UAE for questioning

Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv while conducting its own investigation into the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a man stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to take over a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The Flydubai aircraft plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two hours into its journey on Wednesday. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and regained control before the aircraft landed safely.

The co-pilot is being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made an emergency landing. UAE officials say they have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered there and operates under their country's flag.

Israeli airlines including El Al, Israir and Arkia said they planned to operate rescue flights from Dubai starting on Friday to bring stranded passengers back.

Israel's Transportation Ministry also said it had sent an urgent request to Etihad Airlines to increase the number of flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.

An Israeli official said the FlyDubai co-pilot told interrogators in the United Arab Emirates last week that he had planned the alleged attack before joining the airline more than a year ago. The co-pilot is alleged to have attempted to hijack a flight to Israel.

The Sept. 30 flight was approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with the aircraft's crash ax and attempted to crash the plane, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passengers aboard and the captain.

Israeli passengers and FlyDubai staff overpowered the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots who were aboard then gained control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Following the alleged attempted hijacking, Israel's transportation ministry and its domestic and foreign security agencies have each said they were not responsible for vetting foreign flight crews.