In brief
A Flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv signalled an emergency after a fight between the pilot and co‑pilot, prompting a diversion to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The incident, which involved around 150 passengers, was not deemed a hijacking. Israeli air forces dispatched jets to the area, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations.
A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was unexpectedly diverted after a physical fight between the pilots, said Israeli officials.
The Flydubai plane took off from Dubai International Airport early on Wednesday morning and signalled an emergency code about two hours into the journey, flight‑tracking services recorded.
Minutes later it switched to a hijacking alert code before reverting to the general emergency signal, the website noted.
Officials said the incident was not a hijacking but was believed to follow an altercation between the captain and first officer.
The aircraft, carrying roughly 150 people—most of whom were Israeli—was due to land at Ben‑Gurion Airport but instead landed at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia.
The Israeli air force dispatched fighter jets to the area and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations following the incident.
