A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an emergency signal and a brief transmission of the code associated with unlawful interference triggered a security response in Israel.
The aircraft, operating as flydubai flight FZ1073, was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv when it changed course over Saudi Arabia. Flight-tracking data showed it transmitting the international emergency code 7700 before briefly switching to 7500, the code used to indicate unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
The incident prompted Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene an urgent security consultation. However, Netanyahu's office later said there was no hijacking.
Emergency signals trigger Israeli response
The flight was reportedly carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, although other reports put the number of passengers at around 180, including Israeli passengers.
The aircraft initially transmitted 7700, the standard transponder code for a general emergency. It subsequently transmitted 7500, which is internationally associated with unlawful interference and can indicate a hijacking.
The aircraft then turned back towards Saudi Arabia and was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The Boeing 737 reportedly made a sharp descent during the incident, dropping from around 34,000 feet to approximately 16,600 feet in about two minutes, according to CNN.
Israeli media reports said the apparent 7500 transmission led authorities to consider the possibility of a hijacking. The Israel Air Force subsequently scrambled fighter jets towards the aircraft, while security officials monitored the situation.
Netanyahu holds urgent security consultation
The incident prompted an emergency response in Israel, with Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly convening an urgent security consultation.
The Israel Police Operations Division also ordered the establishment of a joint command centre with other security agencies. Police Commissioner Danny Levy held a situation assessment and told reporters that authorities were prepared for "every scenario".
However, a spokesperson for Netanyahu's office said there was no hijacking. The Times of Israel also reported that a hijacking bid had been ruled out.
The Israeli Air Force had not immediately provided an official comment on reports that fighter jets were scrambled.
Pilot altercation reportedly behind alert
Israeli media outlet Ynet reported that the airline confirmed the hijacking signal was triggered during an altercation between the two pilots in the cockpit.
Other reports similarly said the emergency signal was activated during a physical or violent confrontation between the pilots. The aircraft then changed course and headed towards Saudi Arabia.
An Israeli official cited by Reuters said the flight was diverted after a brawl between the pilots. The aircraft again transmitted the general emergency signal before landing at Tabuk airport.
However, the precise circumstances that led to the change of course and the emergency signals remain subject to investigation. Flydubai had not immediately provided a full public account of the incident in the reports available.
Flight details and passenger safety
FZ1073 was scheduled to operate from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Flight-tracking records show that the route is a regularly operated flydubai service between the two cities.
The aircraft was identified in reports as a Boeing 737 MAX 8, with one report identifying its registration as A6-FKF.
All passengers were reported safe following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in the region, but Israeli authorities said the episode was not believed to have involved a hijacking.