Israel-bound flight lands in Saudi Arabia after ‘pilot altercation’

A Flydubai passenger aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a reported altercation between its two pilots triggered an emergency signal, according to CNN and Israeli media.

The aircraft, which was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport, descended about 17,400 feet over northwestern Saudi Arabia in just over two minutes before transmitting an emergency signal, flight-tracking data reviewed by CNN showed.

Israeli daily Ynet reported that a hijacking code was activated during the cockpit altercation and that the aircraft subsequently landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

An Israeli official said the incident was not a hijacking and was understood to be an internal personnel incident on board.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation following the incident, while Israeli fighter jets were scrambled after the emergency signal was received, an Israeli military spokesperson told CNN.

In a statement, a flydubai spokesperson said flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on September 30, 2026, landed safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers are safe and accounted for, the airline said.

The carrier did not disclose the nature of the incident.

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.

The airline said its teams are working closely with the relevant authorities.