A Dubai-Tel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after emergency signals raised hijacking fears during Wednesday’s journey, officials said today. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport before heading toward Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv earlier Wednesday morning.
The aircraft later transmitted emergency alerts before changing course toward Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, according to flight-tracking data from Wednesday. FlightRadar24 data showed the aircraft briefly used transponder code 7500, indicating unlawful interference, before switching back to 7700 afterward.
Israeli officials said a violent cockpit altercation between the pilots triggered the emergency and forced the diversion toward Tabuk airport. Reuters reported that Israeli officials suspect the co-pilot stabbed the captain before cabin crew intervened inside the cockpit during flight.
Passengers reportedly heard shouting and witnessed a struggle, while the aircraft descended rapidly before stabilizing during the emergency flight. According to Reuters, the plane dropped nearly 14,000 feet within thirty seconds before continuing toward Saudi Arabian airspace safely afterward.
Both pilots suffered injuries during the incident and later received medical treatment after the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight generated signals suggesting possible unlawful interference during flight.
Flydubai confirmed that all passengers remained safe and accounted for after the aircraft completed its emergency landing in Tabuk. Reports indicate approximately 150 passengers travelled aboard the flight, while Saudi authorities coordinated security procedures following the emergency landing.
Israeli officials offered differing descriptions of the incident, with some calling it a possible terror attack while others avoided that characterization. The Dubai-Tel Aviv flight remains under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly what happened inside the cockpit during flight.
Further updates are expected as investigators examine passenger accounts, flight data, cockpit evidence, and communications surrounding the incident carefully.
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