On September 30, 2026, a Flydubai plane with over 180 passengers on board, most of whom were Israelis, sent a signal indicating a possible hijacking. The flight was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv and was redirected to Saudi Arabia after signaling suspicion of unlawful interference.
Hijacking Signal
The Boeing 737 first transmitted code 7700, indicating an emergency signal, and then code 7500, which indicates a possible hijacking. According to Israeli media, communication with the crew was lost, and the aircraft descended to a suspicious altitude, changing course towards Saudi Arabia.
Government Response
In response to the incident, Israel scrambled fighter jets. The country's military forces were prepared for any developments. However, it later became clear that the cause of the incident was a fight between the pilots, rather than a hijacking.
Conclusion of the Incident
The aircraft successfully landed in Saudi Arabia, and reports of a hijacking were not confirmed. Preliminary information suggests that during the fight, the pilots may have accidentally activated signals indicating distress and hijacking. After landing, all passengers and crew remained unharmed.