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Active Regional Flight cancellation / route change

Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Altercation

A flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit altercation triggered emergency squawk signals. The Israeli Air Force briefly scrambled fighter jets over hijacking concerns before officials confirmed the distress alert was caused by a fight between the pilots. All passengers and crew landed safely, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

Published Source: The Times
Affected country
Regional
Location / route
Dubai–Tel Aviv flight route / Tabuk Airport
Published by source
September 30, 2026 6:30 PM CST
Effective period
September 30, 2026 5:30 AM CST
Last verified
September 30, 2026 10:41 PM CST
Status
Active

Official guidance

Flydubai confirmed the diversion of flight FZ1073 to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; travelers on the Dubai-Tel Aviv route should monitor carrier updates for subsequent flight arrangements.

Summary of official information. Always check the official source and follow the guidance of the authorities. UECN does not issue risk ratings; the absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.

A flydubai passenger flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert and land at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following a mid-flight emergency, according to reports by The Times and regional officials.

Flight FZ1073, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, transmitted transponder emergency squawks including code 7700 and code 7500, the international code designating unlawful interference or hijacking. In response to the distress transmission, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held emergency security consultations.

Israeli authorities subsequently ruled out a hijacking attempt, stating that the distress code was activated as a result of a physical altercation between the two pilots in the cockpit. The aircraft rapidly descended and changed course away from Israeli airspace before making an unscheduled landing in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai confirmed that an incident took place aboard the flight deck and that the aircraft was secured by crew members on board before diverting safely to Tabuk. The airline stated that all passengers and crew members are safe and accounted for, noting that the circumstances surrounding the altercation remain subject to formal investigation.

Revision history

  1. Active Published automatically from the official source

Sources

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Middle East Travel Alerts
Source: Xinhua

Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia Following Cockpit Attack

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to sabotage the aircraft mid-air. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker before the plane landed, and Saudi authorities placed the suspect under arrest. Flydubai confirmed all passengers were safe, while the Israel Airports Authority set up an information center for families.

Middle East Travel Alerts
Source: eturbonews.com

Flydubai Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Transmitting Hijacking Emergency Signal

Flydubai flight FZ1073 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30 following a violent cockpit disturbance. The Boeing 737 transmitted emergency squawk code 7700 followed by hijacking code 7500 before landing safely. Flydubai confirmed the incident and stated that all passengers on board were accounted for.

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