Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
Dubai/Tel Aviv, September 30, 2026: A Flydubai passenger flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident inside the cockpit triggered fears of a possible hijacking and prompted an Israeli security response.
Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai International Airport to Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Israel Suspects Possible Terror Attack
Israeli officials said their preliminary assessment was that the incident could have been an attempted terror attack.
According to officials briefed on the incident, the co-pilot is believed to have attacked and injured the captain during the flight. Crew members subsequently entered the cockpit and helped bring the situation under control, according to the Israeli account.
The assessment remains part of an ongoing investigation, and authorities have not yet released a complete account establishing the motive behind the incident.
Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said the episode was not initially believed to be a conventional hijacking and described it as a "different incident." Israeli officials later told reporters they were examining it as a possible security or terror-related attack.
Emergency Signals Triggered Hijacking Fears
Flight-tracking information showed that the Boeing 737 transmitted a general emergency signal followed by another signal indicating possible unlawful interference.
The aircraft also experienced a sudden and significant loss of altitude before eventually diverting to Tabuk. The sequence of emergency alerts initially raised fears that an attempted hijacking might be underway.
Israel subsequently scrambled military aircraft amid concerns over the safety of Israeli passengers aboard the flight.
Both Pilots Taken to Hospital
Authorities at Tabuk airport said both pilots were taken to hospital after sustaining injuries during the incident.
Flydubai confirmed that Flight FZ1073 had experienced an incident while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and had landed safely at Tabuk Airport.
The airline said its teams were working with the relevant authorities and that further information would be released once additional details were confirmed.
Passengers Safe After Emergency Landing
Despite the dramatic developments in the air, all passengers were reported safe following the landing.
Saudi authorities secured the aircraft after it arrived in Tabuk as officials began examining exactly what happened during the flight.
Israeli authorities also began security consultations following the incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with senior security officials as authorities worked to establish the circumstances and arrange assistance for Israeli passengers.
Investigation Continues
Several conflicting accounts circulated shortly after the emergency landing, including different claims about what triggered the confrontation and the identities of those involved.
For that reason, authorities have cautioned that the investigation is still developing.
What has been officially established so far is that Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a serious onboard incident, both pilots were injured, and all passengers survived the emergency landing safely. Israel is investigating whether the episode constituted an attempted terror attack.
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