WorldReport

Flydubai flight to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilot brawl

An Israeli official said emergency signals were sent after a physical altercation between the flight's pilots.

By Foreign Desk

30 September 2026 · Source: Dawn

Flydubai flight to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilot brawl

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after transmitting emergency signals. According to an unnamed Israeli official who spoke to Reuters, the signals were sent following a physical altercation between the two pilots, not because of a hijacking.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24, reported by Dawn, showed the Boeing 737 first sent a general emergency signal over Jordanian airspace, then a second signal indicating possible unlawful interference. It later sent the general emergency signal again before landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated that the incident was under control and that measures were being taken to return Israeli passengers safely to Israel.

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