Flydubai Plane Diverted Amid Pilot Fight, Hijacking Fears

Flydubai confirmed that a flight en route from the UAE to Tel Aviv experienced a violent altercation between its pilots, following earlier concerns of a potential hijacking. Initial reports suggested the incident might have been an attack aimed at seizing control of the aircraft. The plane, carrying approximately 100 Israeli passengers, reportedly changed course and was heading towards Saudi Arabia for an expected landing.

Concerns were heightened when the aircraft disappeared from flight tracking applications and failed to secure landing clearance at Ben Gurion Airport, raising alarms about the flight's safety. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Security Yisrael Katz held emergency consultations with senior security officials.

Later, contact was re-established with the pilot, and the aircraft resumed broadcasting its signal. Preparations were made for landing in Saudi Arabia. With Flydubai confirming a severe dispute between the pilots, fears of a hijacking subsided, though authorities continued to investigate the circumstances that led to the course change, especially given reports of a possible onboard attack.

According to the Israeli military radio, citing a senior official, one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to hijack the plane, intending to force it to land elsewhere or crash it. The aircraft reportedly began a steep descent before other crew members subdued the assailant and regained control, averting what was described as a major disaster.