A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after an incident involving the pilots triggered emergency signals while the aircraft was in flight.
Flight FZ1073, carrying about 150 passengers, was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport when it diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
According to Israeli officials cited by Reuters, the incident was reportedly caused by a physical altercation between the two pilots rather than a hijacking. The airline itself has so far described the situation only as an “inflight incident” and said it was cooperating with authorities as investigations continue.
The incident initially triggered fears of a possible hijacking after the aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700 before briefly switching to code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. The aircraft later returned to the general emergency code before landing in Tabuk.
Flight-tracking data also showed the Boeing 737 making a rapid descent during the incident, adding to concerns among those monitoring the flight.
Israeli officials later said the situation was under control and that the incident was not a hijacking. Reports from Israeli sources claimed one pilot may have attacked the other and that passengers helped restrain one of the crew members, although several details of the confrontation remain unconfirmed.
The dramatic incident prompted a significant security response, including the reported scrambling of Israeli fighter jets after the emergency signals were detected.
With the aircraft having landed safely, attention has now turned to establishing exactly what happened inside the cockpit and what triggered the emergency descent and diversion.
Israel is also exploring arrangements to bring the passengers who landed in Saudi Arabia back home
