Pilot Altercation Diverts Flydubai Flight; Israeli Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
According to Israeli officials speaking to local media, a passenger plane flying from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, was diverted to Saudi Arabia due to a dispute between the pilots. Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported that the Flydubai flight, which departed Dubai International Airport on Wednesday morning, sent an emergency signal two hours into the flight. Moments later, the emergency signal was changed to a hijack alert, before reverting back to a standard emergency signal. The aircraft was carrying approximately 150 passengers, most of whom were Israeli citizens. Flight number FZ1053 was scheduled to land at Ben-Gurion Airport but unexpectedly landed at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia following the dispute between the pilots, officials confirmed.
Israeli authorities reported that one pilot allegedly stabbed the other with a knife before taking control of the aircraft. Passengers on board also reported the use of a sharp weapon inside the plane. A Flydubai spokesperson confirmed an “incident occurred during the flight” but stated that further details will be provided once available. “Our teams are working in coordination with the relevant authorities,” the spokesperson added.
Data from FlightRadar24 shows that about two hours after takeoff, at around 05:21 UTC, the plane descended rapidly from over 17,000 feet (5,000 meters) within two minutes. At 05:40 UTC, the flight briefly entered Jordanian airspace before returning to Saudi Arabian airspace shortly after. Upon entering Saudi airspace, the plane initiated descent for landing. Concern over a possible hijacking prompted emergency consultations between the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister. The Israeli Air Force deployed fighter jets as the aircraft diverted from its expected route. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement assuring that the situation is under control and that efforts are underway to safely repatriate Israeli passengers from Saudi Arabia.
