Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight lands in Saudi Arabia after cockpit fight triggers hijack alert
A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an incident involving the pilots triggered emergency signals and briefly raised fears of a possible hijacking.
Flight FZ1073, operating a Boeing 737 Max 8, landed safely at Tabuk Airport, with all passengers and crew accounted for, the airline said. Flydubai said it was working with the relevant authorities and would issue further information once confirmed.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft first transmitted a general emergency code and later briefly sent the 7500 signal used to indicate unlawful interference. The plane then diverted towards Tabuk after a sharp loss of altitude.
Israeli officials initially feared a hijacking and scrambled fighter jets in response. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said the situation was under control and that efforts were underway to bring the passengers home. Authorities subsequently ruled out a hijacking.
According to an Israeli official cited by Reuters, the emergency signals were transmitted after the two pilots became involved in a physical altercation in the cockpit. The exact cause of the confrontation remains under investigation. Flydubai has confirmed that an incident occurred but has not publicly provided details about what happened inside the cockpit.
Passengers reportedly heard shouting during the incident and experienced a sudden descent, but all those on board were ultimately safe. Reports alleging that one pilot was injured with a knife have not been independently confirmed.
