A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an incident involving the aircraft’s pilots triggered emergency signals and briefly raised fears of a possible hijacking. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as Flight FZ1073, eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia
The aircraft was travelling from Dubai towards Tel Aviv when the emergency unfolded. According to flight-tracking data, the plane was over Jordanian airspace when it changed course towards Saudi Arabia.
Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft transmitting the international emergency code 7700. The code is used to indicate a general emergency. A second signal associated with possible unlawful interference was also transmitted several minutes later, adding to concerns that the aircraft could have been hijacked. The plane later transmitted the general emergency signal again before landing at Tabuk.
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Reports said around 174 passengers were on board. Flydubai said the aircraft had experienced an “incident” and landed safely, with passengers and crew safe.
Pilots reportedly fought inside cockpit
An Israeli official said the emergency was linked to a physical altercation between the two pilots rather than a hijacking. The exact reason behind the reported fight was not immediately clear.
The incident nevertheless prompted a significant security response because of the emergency signals and the flight’s destination. Israeli officials closely monitored the situation as authorities worked to establish what had happened aboard the aircraft.
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Netanyahu holds security meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations after the incident, according to three Israeli security officials cited by Reuters. Israeli media also reported that the Israel Air Force raised its alert level and scrambled fighter jets as a precaution amid the initial uncertainty.
The Israeli prime minister’s spokesperson said the Flydubai incident was not a hijacking.
The aircraft ultimately reached Tabuk safely, bringing the immediate emergency to an end. Authorities were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the reported cockpit altercation and the emergency signals.