DOMINANT ANGLE
Lisbon weighs the Israeli thesis of the attack against the grey areas of the investigation: an Omani co-pilot, a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and an electoral campaign in the background.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The co-pilot, an Omani national, allegedly tried to stab Indian commander Smit Machchhar; the plane plummeted 14,000 feet in less than a minute before landing in Tabouk (Observador).
- 02
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks of a "jihadist terrorist attack attempt", but Israeli sources cited by the New York Times also mention a possible suicide attempt (Observador).
- 03
Itamar Ben-Gvir claims on X that a terrorist wanted to crash the plane and kill 180 Israelis; the Boeing issued three emergency alerts (SAPO Notícias).
ANALYSIS
Lisbon, October 1, 2026. Portuguese media are recounting the episode of flydubai flight FZ1073 as an air safety incident whose qualification remains disputed. The Boeing 737 MAX, which departed from Dubai for Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia, after issuing, according to SAPO Notícias, three emergency alerts.
The Observador is devoting a lengthy dossier to the episode, placing it in the Israeli calendar: the day before, Benyamin Netanyahu had warned, during a visit to an airbase, that there were "indications" that "enemies will try to attack" the country, as the October 27 legislative elections approach. Less than 24 hours later, a "confrontation on board" occurred. According to the dossier, a co-pilot allegedly attempted to stab the commander, Indian Smit Machchhar, with a pocket knife in order to take control of the aircraft. The plane lost 14,000 feet in less than a minute. Passengers and crew members immobilized the alleged attacker, whose Omani nationality was later confirmed, as Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
The newspaper reports that Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke of a "jihadist terrorist attack attempt" based on preliminary information. It also cites the New York Times: several Israeli sources believe that much remains "up in the air" and that the authorities are examining whether it was an attack targeting Israelis or a suicide attempt.
SAPO Notícias highlights the reaction of Itamar Ben-Gvir, who mentioned on X "a terrorist who planned to crash a plane and assassinate the 180 Israelis on board." The site specifies that the minister heads the far-right party Jewish Force and that his positions have earned him sanctions from 12 Western countries. This presentation situates the statement in the Israeli political arena rather than in the realm of established facts.
RTP, more briefly, summarizes: only the intervention of a few passengers prevented the worst, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and Israel suspects a political motivation.
The Portuguese coverage does not address the commercial consequences for the airline or the diplomatic implications of the detour via Saudi Arabia. It focuses on the nature of the act, the courage of the passengers, and the necessary caution before concluding.
SOURCES (3)
- ObservadorMEDIUM
- SAPO NotíciasMEDIUM
- RTP NotíciasMEDIUM
