Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv Diverts Amid Onboard Incident, Not Terrorism

A Flydubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying 174 people, experienced a critical alert and rerouted towards Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, causing concern and prompting an Israeli military response. The situation began to clarify as the aircraft reappeared on flight tracking applications and its pilots re-established stable communication with air traffic control, specifically with Saudi authorities. Preliminary information from competent sources suggests the incident was not a terrorist hijacking but rather related to a violent event or conflict that occurred onboard the aircraft.

Following the stabilization of communication, it was reported that the plane would undergo a thorough security check upon arrival at its destination. During the flight, the crew activated emergency codes 7700 and 7500. Code 7700 signifies a general emergency, while 7500 indicates an unlawful interference, such as a hijacking. This prompted the Israeli Air Force to scramble fighter jets for interception and led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to hold emergency consultations.

The investigation into all circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing. This event follows a separate incident where an El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Miami was forced to return to Ben Gurion Airport shortly after takeoff due to a technical malfunction.