A Flydubai flight carrying dozens of Israeli passengers diverted to Saudi Arabia after it briefly transmitted a distress signal en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, raising concerns that it was hijacked.
The Boeing 737 MAX, with a reported 180 passengers — including dozens of Israelis — sent a “squawk code” of 7700, a general international emergency signal meaning a hijacking or unlawful interference, as it made a U-turn over the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, The Times of Israel reported.
Israeli occupation authorities were unable to make contact with the plane during the incident. Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept it amid fears of a hijacking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officials held assessments on the incident.
However, not long after, contact was made with the plane and the flight landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
🇦🇪🇸🇦🇮🇱 A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX operating flight FZ1073, carrying approximately 180 passengers, including 150 Israelis, landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
— Egypt's Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) September 30, 2026
The aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it abruptly changed… pic.twitter.com/Y90i7G7R8e
“The situation is under control, and all measures are currently being taken to bring the Israeli passengers back to Israel safely,” Netanyahu’s Office said.
Israeli officials said that the emergency signals were issued after a fight apparently broke out in the cockpit between the pilots, although the exact details of the incident have yet to be confirmed by the airline.
A "violent" altercation between two pilots caused a FlyDubai aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv to divert to Saudi Arabia, sources have told CNN. https://t.co/FSQzHo5QxX pic.twitter.com/hI4UA6FxJk
— CNN (@CNN) September 30, 2026
Israeli passengers have recounted scenes of chaos and panic as the plane dived, of blood in the cockpit and of one of the pilots being stabbed, while some Israeli passengers reportedly helped crew to subdue an attacker, according to Israeli Channel 12.
Source: Israeli media (translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website)