A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a series of emergency signals triggered a brief security scare, with initial reports raising concerns that the aircraft could have been hijacked.

The situation was later clarified by Israeli authorities, who said the incident was not believed to be a hijacking. According to an Israeli official who spoke to Reuters anonymously, the emergency signals were transmitted after the two pilots became involved in a physical altercation inside the cockpit.

The aircraft, Flydubai Flight FZ1073, eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, with passengers reported safe and accounted for.

The Boeing 737 operating the Dubai–Tel Aviv route was flying towards Israel when it began transmitting emergency signals while over the region.

According to flight-tracking data cited by Reuters, the aircraft first transmitted the international 7700 emergency code, which indicates a general emergency. Several minutes later, it transmitted another signal associated with possible unlawful interference, prompting fears of a potential hijacking.

The aircraft subsequently changed course toward Saudi Arabia and landed at Tabuk.

The sequence of emergency signals caused concern among Israeli authorities because the aircraft was travelling toward Israel, and the circumstances behind the signals were initially unclear.

However, after further information became available, Israeli officials said the incident was not a hijacking.

An Israeli official familiar with the incident told Reuters that the two pilots had become involved in a physical fight, and that emergency signals were transmitted during the confrontation.

The precise cause of the altercation and whether either pilot deliberately transmitted the emergency signals had not been established at the time of the Reuters report.

Flydubai itself described the event more cautiously, saying the aircraft had experienced an incident while en route and had subsequently diverted to Tabuk.

The airline confirmed that the plane landed safely and that all passengers were safe and accounted for, while adding that it was working with the relevant authorities.

The difference between the airline's limited statement and the additional information from Israeli officials reflects the fact that the circumstances remained under investigation.

The incident prompted a significant response because one of the transmitted signals indicated possible unlawful interference with the aircraft.

Israeli authorities initially treated the situation seriously, with Israeli military officials conducting a situational assessment.

Reuters reported that Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir held an assessment with the commander of the Israeli Air Force and other military officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also briefed and held consultations over the incident.

Reports also indicated that Israeli fighter jets were scrambled during the initial response, although the situation was subsequently determined not to be a hijacking.

The rapid response demonstrates why an emergency transmission associated with unlawful interference can trigger significant security measures, particularly when an aircraft is approaching a country's airspace.

After diverting from its planned route, Flight FZ1073 landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

The landing created an unusual situation for the Israeli passengers because Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations.

Netanyahu's office said the situation was under control and that efforts were being made to return Israeli passengers to Israel.

Flydubai operates regular flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, making the route an important connection between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords in 2020, which subsequently contributed to increased commercial and air travel between the two countries.

The initial concern was largely connected to the aircraft's emergency transponder signals.

The 7700 code is used internationally to indicate a general emergency, while 7500 is associated with unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking.

Flight-tracking information indicated that the Flydubai aircraft transmitted a general emergency signal before another signal indicating possible unlawful interference, followed later by another general emergency transmission.

Because the flight was travelling toward Israel and the circumstances were initially unknown, the signals triggered heightened security concerns.

Only after authorities received more information did the explanation shift toward an altercation involving the pilots rather than an attempted takeover of the aircraft.

Despite the alarming sequence of events, the aircraft reached the ground safely.

Flydubai confirmed that its passengers were safe and accounted for following the landing in Tabuk. The airline said it was cooperating with authorities and would provide further information as confirmed details became available.

Passenger accounts reported by other media described a chaotic situation inside the aircraft, but those accounts had not been independently verified in the Reuters report.

The investigation is expected to establish what happened inside the cockpit, why the emergency signals were transmitted and what led the pilots to become involved in the reported altercation.

The incident also became a matter of government and military attention because of the flight's destination.

Three Israeli security officials told Reuters that Netanyahu held consultations after the flight was diverted. The Israeli military separately confirmed that its leadership conducted a situational assessment.

Once authorities determined that the aircraft was not believed to have been hijacked, the immediate security concern eased.

The priority then shifted toward safely managing the passengers' arrival in Saudi Arabia and arranging their eventual return to Israel.

The circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation remain subject to investigation.

Authorities will need to determine exactly what happened between the pilots, how the emergency signals were activated and why the aircraft changed course toward Saudi Arabia.

For now, the confirmed outcome is that Flydubai Flight FZ1073 landed safely in Tabuk, passengers were accounted for, and Israeli officials ruled out a hijacking based on the information available at the time.

The unusual incident highlights how quickly an aviation emergency can escalate into a major security response when an aircraft transmits signals associated with possible unlawful interference.