A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia after the pilots reportedly fought mid-air, triggering an emergency signal and sparking fears of a hijack.
The aircraft, carrying 180 Israeli passengers, indicated a general emergency, suggesting possible unlawful interference. Israeli authorities initially treated the incident as a potential hijacking but later determined that the alert was apparently triggered by violence between the pilots in the cockpit.
Emergency response and security measures
The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it descended to a lower altitude before landing safely. However, the incident prompted major security concerns in the Middle East, with the Israeli Air Force scrambling fighter jets in preparation for a possible emergency, according to Walla.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also said to have convened a security meeting with defence officials, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Flight details and aftermath
The FlyDubai FZ1073 aircraft had departed Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at 7.05am and was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv at about 9.30am.
Metro has contacted Flydubai for comment.
