Reported attempted hijacking on Flydubai flight: aircraft lands safely in Saudi Arabia

Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30 after an incident en route. In a statement reported by Gulf News, the airline said the aircraft landed safely and all passengers were safe and accounted for. It said its teams were working with the relevant authorities.

The Associated Press reported, citing two officials, that a fight between pilots prompted the emergency landing. An Israeli official told AP that a possible attempt to attack Israelis was being investigated.

The Times of Israel reported witness accounts that the copilot stabbed the captain and passengers intervened. It said Israeli officials suspected an attempt to seize control and crash the aircraft, but had not established a terrorist motive. These accounts describe allegations under investigation.

According to the same report, flight-tracking data showed emergency code 7700 followed by code 7500. The Prime Minister’s Office said the situation was under control and efforts were underway to bring Israeli passengers home safely.

Code 7500 is an aviation alert associated with hijacking. FAA controller procedures require controllers receiving it to verify that the crew selected it intentionally. The signal is therefore relevant to the emergency response; it does not, on its own, establish who acted inside this aircraft or why.

The Israel Airports Authority opened a waiting and information center for passengers’ relatives in the domestic-arrivals hall at Terminal 1, Ben Gurion Airport, at Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s direction. The authority said staff would assist families and provide updates, and asked people who were not relatives to avoid the center.

How the incident unfolded

- Departure from Dubai: FZ1073 travels from Dubai toward Tel Aviv. - Diversion: An incident occurs en route; the aircraft lands in Tabuk. - Airline confirmation: Flydubai says passengers are safe and accounted for.