A Flydubai flight heading for Tel Aviv diverted from its course and touched down in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport on Wednesday after broadcasting an emergency code, with Israeli security sources saying the alert appeared to have been caused by a fight between the pilots.
The plane, flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted an “unlawful interference” signal, code 7500, raising fears of a hijacking. It also seems to have sent out a general emergency signal before turning toward Saudi Arabia, reports said.
Israeli security sources later told local media that the incident was apparently linked to a row between the pilots. Israeli officials said they did not believe the plane was hijacked.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as the aircraft changed course and Israeli reports said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent security consultation with senior officials.
Israeli media said the fears of a hijacking appeared to have been discounted and the plane landed safely in Tabuk. The reason behind the fight in the cockpit and the decision to transmit the emergency codes were still under investigation.
Local media said Israeli airspace was reopened following the incident.
