Israel-bound flight diverted after fight between pilots
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a physical altercation between the pilot and co-pilot during the flight. The aircraft signalled emergency codes, initially appearing to indicate a hijacking, but Israeli officials confirmed the incident was not a security threat. The diversion prompted responses from Israel's air force and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The Boeing plane, carrying approximately 150 passengers—most of whom were Israeli—took off early on Wednesday morning and signalled an emergency code two hours into the journey. It subsequently transmitted a hijacking signal before reverting to a general emergency code. The aircraft eventually landed at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia rather than its intended destination of Ben-Gurion Airport, with Israeli defence officials indicating the emergency signals had been issued following the altercation between the flight crew.
- Flydubai aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilots' physical fight mid-flight
- 150 passengers, mostly Israeli, landed safely at Tabuk Airport instead of Tel Aviv
- Aircraft initially signalled hijacking code; later confirmed as crew altercation, not security threat