Flydubai Flight Lands in Saudi Arabia After Hijacking Alert; Hijacking Ruled Out

DID Press: A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk on Wednesday after transmitting emergency codes that initially raised concerns about a possible hijacking. Israeli authorities later said the incident was not a hijacking.

According to flight-tracking data cited by Reuters, Flydubai flight FZ1073 first transmitted the general emergency code 7700 and later the 7500 code, which indicates possible unlawful interference. The aircraft changed course over Jordanian airspace and headed toward Saudi Arabia.

The alert prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent security consultation. Israeli media initially reported concerns that the aircraft, carrying more than 150 passengers, might have been hijacked.

However, Netanyahu’s office later said the incident was not a hijacking and that the situation was under control. Reuters, citing an Israeli official, reported that the emergency signals followed a physical altercation between the two pilots. The precise circumstances remain under investigation.

Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 had experienced an “incident” while en route to Tel Aviv and had diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. The airline said all passengers were safe and accounted for and that it was cooperating with the relevant authorities.