Flydubai Jet Diverts Course After Distress Signals, Intercepted by Israeli Jets

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport transmitted distress signals indicating a potential hijacking on September 30, 2026. The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children, departed Dubai at 7:05 AM and was scheduled to land in Israel around 9:30 AM. Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, after entering Jordanian airspace, the crew activated emergency codes 7700 and 7500, the latter signifying unlawful interference or hijacking. Following these signals, the plane sharply altered its course, returning to Saudi Arabian airspace and descending. In response, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept and escort the aircraft. Communication with the pilot was lost at one point. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened emergency security consultations. Security officials urged the public to remain calm, with one source suggesting the pilot's actions might have stemmed from a technical malfunction or an onboard emergency rather than a confirmed hijacking. Later reports indicated the incident may have involved a fight between pilots in the cockpit, and the plane eventually landed in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed the situation involved an altercation between pilots.