Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia

A commercial flight operated by flydubai from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after sending an emergency signal while flying over the country.

The aircraft was carrying around 180 passengers.

According to flight-tracking data, the flydubai aircraft initially transmitted the international emergency squawk codes 7600 or 7700. Shortly afterwards, it transmitted code 7500, which indicates a hijacking or unlawful interference. Security sources said Israeli Air Force fighter jets were sent towards the aircraft to deal with the situation. Hebrew-language media reported that the prime minister and defence minister held an emergency meeting over the incident.

Israeli security sources said the main reason for the aircraft transmitting signals indicating a general emergency and ‘unlawful interference’ was a physical altercation between the flight’s pilots.

After the landing, the Prime Minister’s Office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held a consultation on the emergency landing of the flydubai aircraft. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the situation was under control and that all necessary measures were being taken to safely return the Israeli passengers to Israel.

Israeli security sources said authorities would be able to establish a clear picture of what had happened after the aircraft landed. No further details were immediately available.