A Flydubai commercial aircraft travelling from Dubai to Israel has made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged fight between its two pilots triggered distress signals and raised fears of a possible hijacking.
The Boeing 737, flight FZ 1073, was en route to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv when the incident occurred over Jordan. According to Israeli media reports, one of the pilots was seriously injured in an alleged stabbing during the confrontation, although the precise circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
The aircraft, which Israeli officials said was carrying between 160 and 180 passengers, transmitted a general emergency signal approximately two and a half hours after departing from Dubai, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24.
During the incident, the aircraft reportedly transmitted three emergency signals, including one indicating possible unlawful interference. The alerts prompted concerns that the aircraft could have been the target of a hijacking attempt.
The plane also experienced a sharp descent, losing approximately 16,000 feet in just two minutes, amid reports of the confrontation between the pilots. The unusual manoeuvre, coupled with the distress signals, heightened concerns among Israeli authorities about the safety of the passengers.
Israeli officials scrambled fighter jets in response to fears that the aircraft might have been hijacked, particularly given the presence of dozens of Israeli nationals on board. The plane subsequently diverted to Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
A statement from the Saudi aviation authority confirmed that all passengers were safe following the emergency landing. However, both the captain and co-pilot were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force was awaiting permission from Saudi Arabia to transport the stranded passengers back to Israel. The Israeli prime minister’s office said the situation was under control and that arrangements were being made to facilitate the passengers’ return.
Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ 1073, which was travelling to Ben Gurion Airport, had experienced an incident and landed safely in Tabuk on Wednesday. “Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities,” the airline said, adding that further updates would be issued as additional confirmed details became available.
The airline did not provide further information about the circumstances of the incident or the reported confrontation between the pilots.
Passengers reportedly described chaotic and confusing moments aboard the aircraft, with accounts suggesting that blood was spilt during the altercation. However, the precise sequence of events leading to the emergency remains unclear.
According to Israeli media, authorities are investigating the possibility that one of the pilots deliberately attempted to crash the aircraft. An Israeli newspaper, citing an unnamed official, reported that investigators were treating the incident as a possible terrorist attack, although other explanations were also being considered.
The incident also disrupted other flights. Israeli media reported that a subsequent Flydubai flight travelling to Tel Aviv turned around while airborne and returned to Dubai following the emergency involving FZ 1073.
The developments prompted changes to the schedule of Israel’s military leadership. Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir postponed a planned visit to the United States next week, where he was expected to meet with the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the head of US Central Command.
Ben-Gvir, Smotrich Call For Stronger Response
The incident also prompted strong reactions from senior Israeli officials, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich using the developments to call for a tougher response to perceived threats against Israel.
Ben-Gvir argued that the incident demonstrated the need for Israel to intensify its military operations across the region, including in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
In a post on X, he noted, “Thank God and the heroic passengers, but Israel’s security doctrine must be taken to the next level,” adding that the country “must continue until achieving total victory” across the four territories.
Ben-Gvir also described the incident as a reminder of what he characterised as the threat posed by Israel’s adversaries. He alleged that a terrorist had planned to destroy the aircraft and kill its Israeli passengers, although the circumstances of the incident had not been conclusively established. “The naive notion that our enemies value life and deserve our pity was given yet another stark reminder this morning in the form of a terrorist who planned to blow up a plane and murder the 180 Israelis on board,” he said.
Smotrich similarly called for severe consequences for anyone found responsible for an attempt to bring down the aircraft. The Finance Minister extended his remarks to countries and organisations allegedly involved in facilitating such an attack. “Anyone who tried to bring down a plane and murder 180 Israelis should pay as though they had murdered them – as should any country or terrorist organisation that sent them,” Smotrich said.
However, the statements came as the circumstances surrounding the pilots’ alleged confrontation remained under investigation. Authorities had yet to publicly establish whether the incident resulted from a personal altercation, deliberate sabotage or another cause.
The emergency landing in Saudi Arabia also placed the spotlight on the coordination required to manage an aviation emergency involving Israeli passengers in a neighbouring country. The Israeli authorities were continuing efforts to secure permission to return the passengers home, while the injured pilots remained under medical care.
With investigations ongoing, the cause of the confrontation, the circumstances surrounding the reported stabbing and the possibility of deliberate interference with the aircraft remained unresolved. Further details were expected as the relevant authorities continued examining the incident.
READ ALSO: Sánchez Rules Out Moroccan Role In Ceuta Migrant Surge
