False Alarm: Plane Declares Hijacking Over Jordan, Lands Safely in Saudi Arabia

A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft en route from the UAE to Ben Gurashon Airport (TLV) triggered emergency codes over Jordan on Wednesday, causing temporary disruption to air traffic in Israel. The plane, registered A6-FKF, initially broadcasted code 7700, indicating a general emergency, before transmitting code 7500, which signifies a hijacking.

After a period of lost communication, the aircraft re-established contact and was expected to land in Saudi Arabia. Israeli security officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, held urgent consultations. Initial assessments in Israel suggested the situation was not a hijacking.

By 9:55 AM, reports indicated the incident was likely not a hijacking but possibly an altercation within the cockpit between the two pilots. Authorities in Saudi Arabia were preparing for the aircraft's arrival. In response to the developing situation, air traffic at Ben Gurashon Airport was temporarily halted until the matter was clarified.

While the immediate threat appeared to be resolved, Israeli police remained on high alert, prepared for any eventuality. The temporary suspension of operations at Ben Gurashon Airport was lifted once the situation was deemed under control.