Flydubai Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Transmitting Hijacking Emergency Signal

Flydubai flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv with approximately 150 Israeli passengers aboard, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30, 2026, following a reported violent incident involving the cockpit crew, according to eTurboNews.

Flight-tracking records indicated that the Boeing 737 initially broadcast transponder code 7700 to indicate a general emergency, briefly transmitted squawk code 7500—the international signal for unlawful interference or hijacking—and subsequently switched back to code 7700. Reuters, citing Flightradar24 telemetry, reported that the aircraft descended roughly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds prior to broadcasting the initial emergency transponder code.

Flydubai confirmed that an inflight incident had taken place, stating that the aircraft touched down safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were accounted for.

Passenger accounts cited by the publisher described screaming in the cabin and an individual wielding a knife forcing a pilot to the floor. Israeli media reports later alleged that one pilot stabbed another during an attempt to seize control of the aircraft.

eTurboNews noted that motives remain unconfirmed, stating that there was insufficient publicly verified evidence to classify the incident as a terrorist attack or establish links to external entities.