A Flydubai flight broadcast a hijacking code due to an argument between pilots, diverting to Saudi Arabia.
AI-generated summary
A Flydubai airliner flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted its route to Saudi Arabia following an emergency.
A Flydubai airliner (FZ 1073) flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv reported an emergency by briefly transmitting a code indicating a hijacking, descended to a suspicious altitude and diverted its course towards Saudi Arabia. Several Israeli media reported this. Two Israeli Air Force fighters were urgently scrambled. The plane then landed in Saudi Arabia at the Tabuk airport. Ynet and the Times of Israel, citing Israeli security sources, reported that the code indicating a hijacking had been activated following an argument between the pilots.
What we know
According to flight tracking data, reported by FlightRadar and cited by the Times of Israel, the plane initially broadcast the transponder code 7700, an international emergency signal. Shortly after, however, it sent the code 7500, which indicates a hijacking or an act of unlawful interference. According to security sources, Israeli Air Force fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. According to Ynet, there were 150 passengers on the flight. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have called an urgent security meeting. However, the flight then landed in Tabuk and the alarm was lifted.

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv broadcast the emergency code 7500, associated with a possible hijacking, diverting to Saudi Arabia. Israel scrambled fighter jets to intercept the plane, while Netanyahu and Katz called an urgent security meeting. Official sources underline that there are no confirmations of the hijacking.

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