A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv triggered a major security scare on Wednesday after the aircraft transmitted emergency codes, including the international code associated with possible hijacking or unlawful interference. The Boeing 737 eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely, with all passengers and crew accounted for.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv when the incident unfolded. The aircraft transmitted the general emergency code 7700 before reportedly switching to 7500, which is associated with unlawful interference and can indicate a possible hijacking.
What happened onboard?
According to an Israeli official cited by Reuters, the emergency signals were transmitted following a physical altercation between the two pilots inside the cockpit. Passenger accounts reported hearing screams and seeing blood, while some reports alleged that one pilot had been attacked with a knife. However, the precise sequence of events remains under investigation and the stabbing allegation has not been independently confirmed.
The aircraft also experienced a dramatic change in altitude during the incident. Flight-tracking data showed a sharp descent before the plane diverted towards Saudi Arabia. The flight eventually landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk.
Hijacking fears trigger security response
The transmission of the 7500 code prompted Israeli authorities to treat the situation as a potential hijacking. Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled as officials attempted to establish what was happening aboard the aircraft. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held security consultations.
However, Israel's Prime Minister's Office later said the incident was not believed to have been a hijacking. Reports attributed the emergency to the confrontation between the pilots. Flydubai itself has so far described the incident without providing detailed information about what happened inside the cockpit.
Plane lands safely in Saudi Arabia
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, and Flydubai confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for. The airline said its teams were working with the relevant authorities and that further updates would be issued as confirmed information became available.
The incident created an unusual situation as the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia, which does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Arrangements were reportedly being made to transport the passengers onwards to Israel.
The investigation is expected to establish what triggered the cockpit altercation, why the emergency codes were transmitted and what caused the aircraft's sudden descent. At this stage, several details circulating in passenger and media accounts remain unverified.
