Dubai‑Tel Aviv Flight Skewered After Pilot Clash, Diverts to Saudi Arabia

Wed Sep 30 2026 09:21:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was forced to land in Saudi Arabia after an on‑board fight between the pilot and co‑pilot, prompting Israeli air force jets to scramble.

A Flydubai aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a physical altercation between crew members. Flight operators signalled an emergency after the clash, leading to a hijacking‑style code before reverting to a general emergency. Israeli officials confirmed the incident was not a hijacking, while Prime Minister Netanyahu convened urgent consultations. The plane, carrying about 150 passengers—most Israelis—now landed safely in Tabuk, and Israeli fighter jets were dispatched in response.

Flight diverted after on‑board fight

A Flydubai flight headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv was unexpectedly diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a physical altercation between the captain and co‑pilot.

The aircraft, taking off early Wednesday from Dubai International Airport, dropped an emergency message two hours into the journey. Minutes later the plane flashed a hijacking‑style code before switching back to a general emergency signal, according to flight‑tracking site Flightradar24.

Israeli Defence officials said the emergency was triggered by a crew dispute, not an attempted hijack. The incident prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold urgent consultations, while the Israel Air Force dispatched fighter jets to respond.

The 150‑passenger flight, dominated by Israeli nationals, was originally scheduled to land at Ben‑Gurion airport but ended up on the tarmac at Tabuk Airport in the north‑east of Saudi Arabia. Authorities reported that all passengers were accounted for and the aircraft was safely off‑loaded by local crews.

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