Flydubai flight FZ1073 to Israel made emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after pilots reportedly fought, triggering security alerts. The Boeing 737, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, descended sharply and transmitted multiple emergency signals before landing at Tabuk airport. The incident has raised concerns about potential unlawful interference and prompted Israeli warplanes to be scrambled.
The flight, carrying around 150 passengers, descended nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, triggering emergency alerts. Israeli officials suspect a pilot altercation, with one passenger reporting a man with a knife forcing a pilot to the floor and blood visible. Both pilots were hospitalized, though the attacker remains unidentified. The incident has led to national security consultations in Israel.
The incident highlights risks on the Israel-UEA route, which passes over Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials describe the event as a 'different incident' not a hijacking, but the situation is under control. Flydubai confirmed the flight experienced an 'incident' and safely landed in Tabuk. The route, popular since UAE-Israel normalization, has seen similar emergencies in the past.
Israeli media and officials report conflicting details on the pilots' nationalities, with some sources citing Omani and Emirati backgrounds, while others suggest Russian and Ukrainian origins. The incident has prompted security responses in Israel, which has no official ties to Saudi Arabia, and underscores the complexities of aviation security on high-profile routes.