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Flydubai Flight Diverted: Terror Angle Not Ruled Out After Emergency Codes Transmitted
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News18•30-09-2026, 14:07
Flydubai Flight Diverted: Terror Angle Not Ruled Out After Emergency Codes Transmitted
- •A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency codes, including one indicating unlawful interference.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office monitored the situation, initially fearing a possible hijacking of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
- •The aircraft, carrying around 180 Israeli passengers, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all passengers reported safe.
- •Israeli security officials later attributed the incident to an altercation between the two pilots, not a hijacking.
- •The flight experienced a rapid descent of approximately 17,400 feet in two minutes, triggering an immediate security response in Israel.
Key Questions Answered
The Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after transmitting emergency codes including a transponder signal indicating unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
Israeli security officials and a regional official stated that the emergency was linked to a violent altercation or fight between the two pilots inside the cockpit rather than an actual hijacking.
Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft dropped rapidly from around 34,000 feet to approximately 16,600 feet, losing about 17,400 feet over roughly two minutes.
