A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the pilots were involved in a physical altercation that triggered emergency signals from the aircraft.
Flight FZ1073, carrying about 150 passengers, diverted towards Saudi Arabia while flying over Jordanian airspace after transmitting a general emergency signal followed several minutes later by another signal indicating possible unlawful interference, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.
The Boeing 737 aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for, but described the incident only as an onboard “incident” without providing further details about what happened in the cockpit.
An Israeli official disclosed that the pilots had become involved in a physical fight. Passenger accounts reported that one pilot was attacked with a knife, although this could not be independently verified by media sources.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft suddenly descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before transmitting the first emergency signal, according to Flightradar24. The rapid descent added to the security concerns surrounding the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the co-pilot had stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft, but passengers and other crew members intervened and prevented the plane from being brought down. Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot after the aircraft landed, Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister’s office initially said the incident was under control and that authorities were working to return the passengers safely to Israel. Israeli officials later described the incident as an attempted terror attack, although investigations were continuing.
The flight’s diversion to Saudi Arabia was particularly notable because Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations. The route between Dubai and Tel Aviv normally passes through Saudi and Jordanian airspace and has become increasingly popular since the United Arab Emirates and Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020.
Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv. The airline said it was coordinating with the relevant authorities following Wednesday’s incident and that replacement arrangements were being made for the affected passengers and crew.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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