Dubai-Tel Aviv flight hijack: A passenger aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv transmitted an emergency signal while flying over Saudi Arabia, prompting a change in its flight path. Amidst reports of a potential hijacking, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement clarifying that no hijacking had occurred.

The aircraft was diverted towards Saudi Arabia and subsequently landed safely. According to a report by Israel’s Ynet, an emergency signal was transmitted during the flight. Reports indicate that there were over 150 passengers on board. Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation.

The aircraft was escorted to a landing at an airport in Saudi Arabia. While the incident was initially suspected to be a hijacking, it was later revealed that the situation had escalated following an argument between the two pilots.

“>September 30, 2026

What is the full story?
Earlier this morning (Wednesday), an emergency signal was briefly transmitted during a manual landing manoeuvre and a U-turn, suggesting a possible hijacking. Consequently, the aircraft was diverted towards Saudi Arabia, and its altitude was lowered. Israeli fighter jets were immediately scrambled.

However, after a few minutes of tension and serious concern in Israel, security officials provided reassuring updates, confirming that the aircraft was expected to land—and had indeed arrived safely—at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai later confirmed that an altercation between the pilots on board had triggered the emergency signal.

What is an emergency alert? Panic ensued on a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai on Wednesday when the aircraft transmitted the emergency code 7700, followed by code 7500, which signals a potential hijacking.