Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, not hijacking

Mangalore Today News Network

Jerusalem, Sep 30, 2026: A Flydubai flight travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals following an alleged physical altercation between the pilots, an Israeli official said on Wednesday. The incident was not believed to be a hijacking.

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted over Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia after transmitting a general emergency signal. Several minutes later, the Boeing 737 sent another signal indicating possible unlawful interference, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

The aircraft subsequently transmitted another general emergency signal before landing safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, the website reported.

An Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the incident was not believed to involve a hijacking.

A Flydubai spokesperson said the flight experienced an "incident" while en route to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Tabuk. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers were accounted for, the spokesperson said, without providing further details.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the pilots had transmitted the emergency signals after getting into a physical altercation. It was not immediately clear whether either pilot had deliberately triggered the signals.

Yasmin Abu Kasis, whose daughter Miriam was among the passengers, said her daughter told her she heard screaming during the incident. She also reportedly said that a man had taken a knife, forced the pilot to the floor and that there was blood at the scene.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations following the incident. His office said the situation was "under control" and that efforts were underway to bring the Israeli passengers back home. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have official diplomatic relations.

Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route widely used by Israeli travellers.

It is not the first time a flight travelling between the UAE and Israel has diverted to Saudi Arabia. In September 2025, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Riyadh following a medical emergency, according to Israeli media reports at the time.