A flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Ben Gurion International Airport made an emergency landing at Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport on Wednesday morning. The flight, which departed Dubai at 8:05 am CLT, transmitted a distress signal at 8:32 am CLT and changed course over Saudi Arabia. According to Tabuk Airport, a distress call was received from the flydubai flight at 8:44 am, and a state of emergency was immediately declared.
The flydubai aircraft, carrying nearly 180 people, initially transmitted the 7700 code, indicating a general emergency, before later transmitting the 7500 code, used to indicate a suspected hijacking or unlawful interference. However, Israeli authorities later stated that the emergency was apparently the result of an altercation between the pilots rather than an attempted hijacking. The Israeli Prime Minister's office also refuted earlier reports that the aircraft may have been hijacked.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft descended 17,400 feet – from 34,000 to around 16,600 feet – over northwestern Saudi Arabia in just over two minutes at around 8:20 am. The plane then changed course and headed towards Tabuk Airport. Israeli media reported that the Israeli Air Force dispatched two fighter jets toward the aircraft as it entered Jordanian airspace.
Passengers on the flight reported hearing screaming and seeing blood on board. Some passengers also reported that the pilots had lost control of the plane before other passengers broke into the cockpit and intervened. Dalia Shpigel told Haaretz that passengers seated toward the front of the plane broke into the cockpit after realizing something was wrong.
The captain and co-pilot of the flydubai flight sustained injuries during the incident and were transported to the hospital for medical care. A flydubai spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport and all passengers are safe and accounted for. The airline is working closely with the relevant authorities, and further updates will be issued as additional confirmed details become available.
Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the situation was "under control" and that efforts were being made to bring the Israeli passengers back to Israel. Israel is exploring the possibility of sending a plane to Saudi Arabia to bring home passengers who landed there after the diversion. The incident highlights the complexities of air travel in the region, particularly given the lack of official diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The incident is currently under investigation, and Israeli authorities are working to determine the cause of the altercation between the pilots. The Israeli Prime Minister's office and other relevant authorities will likely provide further information as it becomes available. For now, the passengers and crew are safe, and efforts are focused on supporting them and resolving the situation.
Key points
- A flydubai flight made an emergency landing at Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport on Wednesday after transmitting distress signals due to an altercation between the pilots.
- The incident highlights the complexities of air travel in the region, particularly given the lack of official diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli authorities are working to determine the cause of the altercation between the pilots and are providing support to the passengers and crew.
