Dubai-Tel Aviv flight diverts course after distress signal; Israel dispatches fighter jets

A suspected security incident occurred on a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, according to the source. The aircraft turned back over Jordan and is currently flying over Saudi Arabian airspace, as indicated by Flightradar24 data. The plane activated an emergency code associated with attempted hijackings and sent out a distress signal, as reported by Army Radio.

The incident is still in progress and has not been resolved, a security official informed Walla. Authorities are working to ascertain the circumstances inside the aircraft, they added. The plane is scheduled to land in Saudi Arabia, but it remains uncertain what transpired until it arrives, stated an aviation authority official.

The Israel Air Force increased its alert status and deployed fighter jets to respond to a potential emergency, Walla learned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting with defense officials, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.