Dubai-Tel Aviv flight diverts to Saudi Arabia after pilot fight: official

A flight travelling from Dubai to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the pilots reportedly got into a physical altercation and emergency signals were transmitted from the aircraft, according to Israeli officials and flight-tracking data.

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted over Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia after transmitting a general emergency signal, according to Flightradar24.

The Boeing 737 aircraft later transmitted another emergency signal indicating possible unlawful interference before transmitting the general emergency code again, the flight-tracking website reported.

The aircraft subsequently landed at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said the incident was not believed to have been a hijacking.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that the pilots transmitted the emergency signals after getting into a physical altercation.

It was not immediately clear whether either pilot had intentionally transmitted the signal. Flydubai was not immediately available for comment.

Three Israeli security officials told Reuters that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations over the flight. The Israeli military said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also held a “situational assessment” with the air force commander and other military officials.

Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route popular among Israeli nationals. Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have official diplomatic relations.