A Flydubai Boeing 737, carrying approximately 150 Israeli passengers, was diverted to Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after transmitting emergency signals. The flight, FZ1073, was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft suddenly descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency signal was transmitted.
The emergency signals triggered a major security response in Israel, where authorities initially assessed the situation amid concerns over a possible security incident. Israeli officials worked to determine the cause of the incident, with a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister's office stating that the situation was not believed to be a hijacking. The Israeli prime minister's office later confirmed that the situation was "under control" and that measures were being taken to return the Israeli passengers to the country.
According to an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the pilots had gotten into a physical altercation with each other, leading to the transmission of the emergency signals. However, it was not immediately clear whether either pilot intentionally transmitted the signals. An airline spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft experienced an "incident" and was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely, with all passengers reported safe and accounted for.
A passenger's relative, Yasmin Abu Kasis, reported that her daughter Miriam, who was on the flight, heard screaming and saw a man holding a knife force one of the pilots onto the floor. The relative claimed that there was blood everywhere, and Israeli media published a photograph purportedly taken inside the aircraft showing a passenger's blood-soaked shirt. However, Reuters could not immediately verify the image.
The incident is particularly notable given that Saudi Arabia and Israel have no official diplomatic relations. Flydubai operates daily return flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, with the route normally passing through Saudi Arabian and Jordanian airspace. The diversion of the flight to Saudi Arabia was a significant development, with the incident drawing international attention.
This is not the first incident involving a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. In September 2025, a similar flight made an emergency landing in Riyadh due to a medical incident, according to Israeli media. The latest incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
The Israeli prime minister's office confirmed that efforts were being made to return the passengers to Israel. The incident is being investigated, with authorities working to determine the cause of the altercation and the circumstances surrounding the emergency signals. Key points include: the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia due to an alleged physical altercation between pilots; approximately 150 Israeli passengers were on board; and the incident is being investigated by authorities.
Key points
- The incident occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
- The flight was diverted to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after an alleged physical altercation between pilots.
- The incident is being investigated by authorities, with concerns about the safety and security of flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
