Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv lands safely in Saudi Arabia after pilot dispute triggers hijacking alarm

A Flydubai plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after sending emergency signals that sparked fears of a hijacking. The flight left Dubai at about 7:05 am local time and was meant to reach Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv around 9:30 am.

Emergency Codes

The aircraft first sent out the international emergency code 7700 and then transmitted code 7500, which points to unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. The plane changed its path while heading towards Israel, turned back over Saudi Arabia, dropped to a lower height, and landed in the kingdom.

Security Response

Israel scrambled fighter jets and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security talks along with Defence Minister Israel Katz. Police Commissioner Danny Levy and other security heads set up a joint command centre. Israeli officials later stated that the event was not a hijacking, and reports indicated the emergency arose from a physical fight between the two pilots.

Context

Commercial aviation systems use specific transponder codes like 7500 to instantly alert ground air traffic controllers worldwide to critical onboard security threats. International protocols require immediate military and security mobilization when such codes are received, given the severe risks involved in airborne threats.