A FlyDubai flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after the pilots got into a fight on board. The flight, which took off at 7:05 am, was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:30 am. However, about an hour and a half into the flight, the pilots sent out a distress signal, indicating that the plane was experiencing an emergency.
The distress signal, known as "Code 7700," was sent out while the plane was in Jordanian airspace. Shortly after, the pilots sent out another signal, "Code 7500," which indicates that the plane had been hijacked. The signals prompted a swift response from Israeli authorities, who scrambled fighter jets to intercept the plane. The Israeli military and government agencies, including the Shin Bet and Mossad, began assessing the situation to understand what was happening on board.
As the plane diverted to Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held an emergency security consultation to discuss the situation. The plane, which had been flying at a high altitude, began to descend rapidly, causing concerns about the safety of the passengers on board. The Israeli authorities were on high alert, preparing for any possible scenario.
The plane eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it was met by local authorities. The passengers were not harmed, and the plane was able to land without incident. The incident was widely reported in the media, with many outlets speculating about the cause of the emergency.
According to FlyDubai, the fight between the pilots was the reason for the distress signal. The airline's general manager said that the incident was caused by a "violent incident" on board, which was later confirmed to be a fight between the two pilots. The airline arranged for another plane to be sent to Saudi Arabia to take the passengers to their destination.
The incident prompted a thorough investigation by the Israeli authorities, including the military, Shin Bet, and police. The goal was to understand what had happened on board and to ensure that such an incident did not happen again. The Israeli police and security agencies were on high alert, preparing for any possible scenario.
The diversion of the FlyDubai flight to Saudi Arabia highlighted the complexities of air travel in the region and the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of unexpected events. The incident was widely reported and sparked a significant response from Israeli authorities, who took the situation very seriously.
Key points
- A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a fight broke out between the pilots on board.
- The incident prompted a swift response from Israeli authorities, who scrambled fighter jets and held an emergency security consultation.
- The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and the passengers were not harmed; an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the incident.
