A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into one of the most alarming aviation security incidents of the year on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The flight carried 174 passengers including 27 children and landed in Saudi Arabia after a physical altercation between the pilots triggered an emergency signal that first raised fears of a hijacking.
What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073
Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport (DXB) bound for Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv. Flight tracking data showed the Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration A6 FKF, first broadcast emergency code 7700 for a general emergency. Some tracking systems then reported code 7500, the transponder signal for unlawful interference, which is the aviation code for a hijacking.
The aircraft then turned back. Flight data showed the plane dropped about 17,400 feet in less than two minutes, which left some passengers fearing for their lives. The flydubai jet landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israel’s response to the suspected hijacking
The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets after the alert. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened an urgent security consultation. Israeli authorities first treated the event as a possible hijacking of a passenger aircraft. Later assessments pointed to violence inside the cockpit as the trigger for the alert.
Cockpit altercation and the pilot stabbing reports
Israeli officials reportedly came to suspect that the Omani copilot tried to crash the aircraft and that the Emirati captain regained control with help from crew members and passengers. A passenger account said a pilot was stabbed with a pocketknife and that a doctor and nurse on board gave first aid. Both pilots were reported injured.
Netanyahu said Saudi authorities arrested the copilot accused of stabbing the captain. Israeli officials said there was no evidence so far that the suspect had backing from a foreign actor. These claims come from Israeli sources and remain subject to the results of the official investigation.
flydubai statement and investigation
flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred on the flight deck of FZ1073 on 30 September. The airline opened an investigation and notified Israeli authorities while Israel and Saudi Arabia are investigating as well. The airline has not publicly confirmed the hijacking allegation.
Passengers return to Israel
Passengers stranded in Saudi Arabia were flown toward Tel Aviv on a replacement aircraft within hours.
Why this matters for Dubai to Tel Aviv travellers
Direct flights between the UAE and Israel began after the Abraham Accords. flydubai announced direct Dubai to Tel Aviv service in November 2020. The route has since become a key link for business travel and tourism between the Gulf and Israel. Incidents like this one put fresh attention on cockpit security, pilot screening, flight deck door protocols and crew training across the aviation industry.
What the squawk codes mean
Code 7500 signals a hijacking or unlawful interference. Code 7600 signals radio failure. Code 7700 signals a general emergency. Pilots enter these codes on the transponder so air traffic control and military forces can react fast.
Frequently asked questions
Was flydubai flight FZ1073 hijacked?
Israeli officials describe it as an attempted hijacking by a pilot. flydubai has only confirmed an altercation on the flight deck. Investigations are ongoing.
Where did the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv land?
It landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
How many passengers were on board?
Reports say 174 passengers including 27 children.
Are flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv still operating?
Check flydubai and Ben Gurion Airport for the latest schedule updates before you travel.
Is it safe to fly flydubai?
Authorities have not released findings yet. Follow official statements from flydubai and aviation regulators.