On September 30, 2026, a passenger aircraft of FlyDubai flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv issued a hijacking signal and changed course towards Saudi Arabia. The incident was caused by a fight between the pilot and a crew member, and the aircraft successfully landed in Tabuk.
Details of the Incident
The aircraft initially transmitted code 7700, a general emergency signal, and later changed it to 7500, indicating hijacking or unlawful interference. There were approximately 180 passengers on board. After the signal was issued, the aircraft disappeared from flight tracking websites, and Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to intercept it.
Situation on Board
Passengers reported that during the fight in the cockpit, one of the pilots attempted to stab the other. According to their accounts, Israeli passengers intervened, restraining the attacker and taking control of the situation. After landing in Tabuk, one of the pilots lost consciousness, and both pilots were removed from the flight.
Government Response
Following the incident, Chief of Staff of the IDF Eyal Zamir held a meeting with the Air Force commander and heads of operational and intelligence divisions. FlyDubai stated that there was no threat to passenger safety and emphasized that the incident arose from a conflict between the pilots, one of whom holds Ukrainian citizenship while the other is Russian.