Flight To Tel Aviv Diverted To Saudi Arabia After Reported Fight Between Pilots — What We Know

A passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a reported physical fight between the two pilots, according to Israeli officials. The plane has since landed safely.

What Happened

The Flydubai plane took off from Dubai International Airport early on Wednesday morning. About two hours into the journey, it sent out an emergency signal, BBC News reports, citing flight-tracking site Flightradar24.

Minutes later, the signal changed to a code used to report a hijacking. It was then switched back to the general emergency code.

The aircraft was carrying around 150 people, most of them Israeli. It was due to land at Ben-Gurion Airport but instead touched down at Tabuk Airport in north-eastern Saudi Arabia.

Was It A Hijacking?

No. The Israeli prime minister's office said the incident was not believed to be a hijacking, according to the BBC. Sky News reports that the flight landed "safely" and that the airline has confirmed an incident took place during the journey.

Israeli defence officials, speaking to local media, said the emergency signal was thought to have been triggered by an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, per the BBC. That account comes from Israeli officials relayed through local media, so details could change as more information emerges.

The Response

The Israeli air force sent fighter jets in response to the emergency signals, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations on the incident, the BBC reports.

What We Still Don't Know

• What caused the reported fight between the pilots
• Whether anyone was hurt
• Which pilot was flying the plane when the emergency was declared
• What happens next for the passengers, who landed in Saudi Arabia instead of Israel
• Whether Flydubai or aviation authorities will open an investigation

We'll be watching for updates from the airline and from authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Why It Matters

Hijack and emergency codes on a flight bound for Israel trigger a fast, serious military response, which is why a cockpit dispute became an international incident within minutes. The fact that the plane landed safely with everyone on board is the key reassurance for now.

What do you think: should airlines be doing more to prevent cockpit conflicts like this? Tell us in the comments.

Sources:

• BBC News: Israel-bound flight diverted after fight between pilots
• Sky News: Flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv lands 'safely' in Saudi Arabia after 'brawl between pilots'