A FlyDubai flight that departed Dubai at 7:05 a.m. local time for Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning after an apparent violent altercation occurred inside the cockpit. The incident prompted the crew to issue a series of emergency squawk codes, first indicating a general emergency and then signaling a possible hijacking or unlawful interference.
Timeline of the emergency
According to tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft descended rapidly from 34,000 feet to 16,000 feet within three minutes. About ten minutes later the plane’s transponder code changed to “general emergency,” and seven minutes after that it switched again to a code commonly used for hijacking situations. The plane continued flying at roughly 15,000 feet before landing in Tabuk about an hour to an hour and a half after the initial descent.
Official responses
An Israeli security source told ABC News that the altercation is being investigated as a potential terror incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office posted on X that he has been consulted on the matter and is monitoring developments. The statement added that “the incident is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel.”
FlyDubai confirmed that the flight “experienced an incident while en route” and that the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk. The Israel Defense Forces reportedly recommended that a military aircraft be dispatched to repatriate the Israeli passengers from Saudi Arabia.
Implications for regional security
The diversion underscores the heightened sensitivity of air travel in a region where tensions between Israel and its neighbors remain high. While the exact nature of the cockpit confrontation has not been disclosed, authorities are treating it as a possible terrorist act, reflecting ongoing concerns about the safety of civilian aviation routes that cross volatile airspace.
Both Saudi and Israeli officials have emphasized cooperation in handling the emergency. Saudi authorities facilitated the emergency landing and are working with Israeli representatives to ensure the swift return of passengers. No injuries have been reported, and the aircraft’s passengers were primarily Israeli nationals.
What comes next?
Israeli investigators will continue to examine the incident, interviewing passengers and crew members to determine the motive and identity of those involved. The airline is expected to provide further details once the investigation progresses. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security protocols and international coordination when dealing with unexpected threats in the skies.
This story is developing; updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
