Dubai-Tel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia as pilot fights co-pilot

Passengers reportedly told Israeli media that they became frightened after the aircraft suddenly began descending during the incident

By Njoku Vincent

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an apparent altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, according to Israeli media reports citing defence officials.

Flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai International Airport early Wednesday with about 150 passengers, most of them Israelis, reportedly declared an emergency about two hours into the journey.

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft initially transmitted an emergency signal before briefly switching to a code commonly associated with a hijacking. The signal was later changed back to a general emergency alert.

Israeli officials said the incident was not believed to be a hijacking.

Passengers reportedly told Israeli media that they became frightened after the aircraft suddenly began descending during the incident.

The plane, which was scheduled to land at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, instead diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet, or over 5,000 metres, in less than two minutes shortly after 5:21 a.m. UTC.

The flight briefly entered Jordanian airspace before turning back towards Saudi Arabia, where it eventually landed.

A Flydubai spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft had “experienced an incident while en route” and said the airline was working with relevant authorities to establish the circumstances.

The Israeli Air Force reportedly scrambled fighter jets in response, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations over the incident.

Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations continue.