Pilot altercation forces Tel Aviv-bound flight to divert to Saudi Arabia

An emergency signal transmitted by a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight was triggered by a physical altercation between its pilots, according to an Israeli official. The incident, reported by Dawn, caused flight FZ1073 to divert from Jordanian airspace to land at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Flight tracking data showed the aircraft transmitted a general emergency signal, followed several minutes later by a signal indicating possible unlawful interference. It later reverted to the general emergency signal before landing safely.

The Israeli prime minister's office stated the incident was not believed to be a hijacking. A Flydubai spokesperson confirmed the flight experienced an 'incident' and diverted safely, with all passengers accounted for.