A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed at Tabuk Airport after signalling an emergency during the flight. The aircraft had issued an "unlawful interference" signal as well as another general emergency alert, prompting authorities to respond to the incident.

What happened with Flydubai flight mid-air?

The Times of Israel, citing Israeli security sources, the emergency was apparently linked to an altercation between the pilots aboard the flight. However, no further details about the reported confrontation or its circumstances were immediately available.

Israel military held emergency meeting

Following the incident, Israeli military officials held an assessment of the situation. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Chief of Staff Lt. General Eyal Zamir convened the meeting with senior military commanders, including Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Omer Tischler, Operations Directorate chief Major Genernal Itzik Cohen and Intelligence Directorate chief Major General Shlomi Binder.

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The flight's diversion to Tabuk came as authorities sought to assess the circumstances surrounding the emergency signals and the reported incident involving the crew.

Flight descended over 17,000 feet in 2 minutes

According to local media report, the flydubai flight took off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates at 7:05 am and was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport at around 9:30 am. However, about 90 minutes into the flight, after entering Jordanian airspace, the aircraft transmitted code 7700, the international emergency and distress signal, followed by code 7500, which indicates a hijacking. At the same time, the aircraft turned back, re-entered Saudi Arabian airspace and began flying at a lower altitude over the kingdom.

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The aircraft descended 17,400 feet, from 34,000 to around 16,600 feet, over northwestern Saudi Arabia in just over two minutes at around 1.20 a.m. ET, flight tracking data reviewed by CNN shows. The aircraft then transmitted an emergency signal at 1.32 am ET. CNN reported that the "violent incidents" happened mid-air between the two pilots.

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