A FlyDubai flight heading to Tel Aviv from Dubai made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after reportedly experiencing an in-flight incident. The incident led to the pilots sending out a distress signal, prompting a change in course to land in the Saudi city of Tabuk. According to reports, the flight had taken off from Dubai and was en route to Israel when the incident occurred.
Israeli media outlets have described the incident as a "terrorist incident," citing concerns that one of the pilots may have attempted to intentionally crash the plane. An Israeli official stated that authorities are treating the incident as a "suspected terrorist incident," with some speculating that the altercation may have been an attempt to hijack the plane. The incident has sparked a significant response from Israeli authorities.
Passengers on board the flight reported hearing a commotion in the cockpit and seeing one of the pilots covered in blood. Some passengers reportedly intervened to try and calm the situation, with footage showing a passenger attempting to document the incident. The passengers expressed their shock and fear during the ordeal, with some describing the scene as chaotic.
According to reports, the incident began when a dispute broke out between the two pilots, one of whom was reportedly an Omani national and the other an Emirati. The altercation led to a sudden and sharp descent of 17,400 feet in just over two minutes, prompting the pilots to send out a distress signal. The plane was carrying approximately 180 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held emergency security consultations in response to the incident. Netanyahu's office stated that the situation is under control and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe return of Israeli passengers. The incident has raised concerns about aviation security and the potential for future incidents.
The incident has also sparked a diplomatic response, with Saudi Arabia's authorities working to coordinate with Israeli officials to resolve the situation. The emergency landing in Tabuk marks a rare instance of Israeli citizens arriving in Saudi Arabia, a country with which Israel does not have formal diplomatic relations. The incident may have implications for regional relations and aviation security.
FlyDubai has released a statement confirming that the flight experienced an incident and that all passengers are safe. The airline is working closely with authorities to investigate the incident and determine the cause. The Israeli government has announced plans to send a plane to Saudi Arabia to evacuate the passengers and bring them back to Israel.
Key points
- The incident is being investigated as a potential terrorist incident.
- The flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a reported altercation between pilots.
- All passengers are reported to be safe, with Israeli authorities working to coordinate their return.
