Tel Aviv-Bound Flydubai Plane Lands In Saudi Arabia After Hijack Scare, Altercation Between Pilots Reported

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned around over northern Saudi Arabia and landed at Tabuk airport after declaring an emergency, with Israeli security sources reportedly saying the incident was triggered by an altercation between the pilots.

The aircraft, which was carrying around 180 passengers, also appeared to transmit emergency and possible hijacking codes, according to flight-tracking data, prompting an Israeli security response.

Israeli media, citing security officials, said that everyone on board was safe.

The aircraft had been flying towards Israel when its flight path suddenly changed over northern Saudi Arabia.

According to Flight Radar, the incident occurred about two-and-a-half hours after takeoff. Its data

showed the plane turning away from its destination before subsequently heading towards Saudi Arabia and landing at Tabuk airport.

Emergency And Possible Hijack Codes Transmitted

According to Flightradar24 data, the flydubai aircraft initially squawked 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code used by aircraft to indicate a general emergency.

Some flight trackers subsequently indicated that the aircraft briefly switched to 7500, the transponder code associated with hijacking or unlawful interference.

However, the reported 7500 transmission could not be confirmed.

The tracking data also showed notable changes in the aircraft’s flight parameters before it turned around. The plane experienced a sudden drop in altitude, while its ground speed fluctuated before the aircraft changed direction.

After turning away from Israel, the aircraft was reportedly flying unusually low, at around 15,000 feet.

The plane later stopped appearing on flight-tracking websites and was last seen on tracking data near Tabuk airport.

Flydubai Plane Turns Around Over Northern Saudi Arabia

The Times of Israel reported that the flydubai flight, which had signalled an emergency, landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

The publication quoted security sources as saying Israeli Air Force fighter jets had been scrambled towards the aircraft after the emergency signals were detected.

Hebrew media reports cited by the report also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz were holding emergency consultations.

Pilots’ Altercation Reportedly Behind Emergency

The reported hijack concern was later followed by information suggesting that the incident may not have involved an attempt to take control of the aircraft.

Israeli security sources cited by The Times of Israel said the incident that led the plane to issue an “unlawful interference” signal and a general emergency signal was apparently due to an altercation between the pilots aboard the flight.

No further details were immediately available about the reported altercation.

Walla reported that the 7500 code was later cancelled and that a technical issue may have been involved. Al Jazeera also quoted a report saying verification was underway to determine whether the incident was security-related or technical.

According to the Associated Press, emergency landings for personnel reasons are rare yet not unheard of. In 2022, two Air France pilots were suspended after fighting in the cockpit on a Geneva-Paris flight, though it did not have to be diverted and landed as planned.

Israeli Military Holds Assessment

The Israeli military said IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Eyal Zamir held an assessment on the incident with senior officers.

Those involved included Israeli Air Force chief Major General Omer Tischler, Operations Directorate chief Major General Itzik Cohen and Intelligence Directorate chief Major General Shlomi Binder.

The incident comes amid heightened sensitivity around aviation routes in the region. Israel’s aviation authority currently has several active notices affecting operations in the Tel Aviv flight information region, including restrictions and warnings concerning parts of the region.

Flydubai is the lower-cost sister carrier of Emirates Airlines. The United Arab Emirates has become a popular vacation destination for Israeli tourists since the countries normalised ties in 2020.

Israel has not experienced a hijacking in decades but maintains some of the strictest airport security in the world, AP reported.