A FlyDubai passenger flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after briefly transmitting two emergency signals
that raised fears of a possible hijacking. The aircraft first squawked 7700, the international transponder code used to indicate a general emergency, before transmitting 7500, the code associated with unlawful interference and commonly understood as a possible hijacking alert. The flight then began descending manually and turned away from its planned route towards Tel Aviv. The sequence prompted Israeli authorities to examine the possibility of a security incident on board. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s spokesperson later said the FlyDubai incident was not a hijacking, pushing back against the initial fears surrounding the 7500 signal.
Flight lands in Saudi Arabia
The aircraft subsequently landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, after diverting from its planned Dubai-Tel Aviv route. According to Israeli security sources cited in initial reports, the incident may have been triggered by an altercation between people aboard the aircraft.
No further details about the nature of the confrontation, who was involved or whether anyone was injured were immediately available. In particular, it is not yet established why the aircraft transmitted the 7500 code or whether it was deliberately activated in response to the reported altercation.
The flight's diversion added to the uncertainty, as the aircraft was initially reported to have lost contact before subsequently appearing on tracking systems and heading towards Saudi Arabia.
Why the 7500 signal triggered alarm
The 7500 transponder code is used internationally to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft. Its appearance can therefore trigger an immediate security response, even when the situation ultimately turns out not to involve a hijacking.
For now, Israeli officials are treating the incident as something other than a hijacking, while security sources have pointed to an altercation on board as the apparent trigger. Further details are expected after the aircraft is examined and passengers and crew are questioned by Saudi and Israeli authorities.
