Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots

On Wednesday, a Flydubai flight bound for Israel from the UAE veered off course after its pilots engaged in a physical altercation, diverting the Boeing 737 to Saudi Arabia, according to an Israeli official. The airline confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for, without providing additional details.

The incident unfolded as the flight transmitted emergency signals from Jordanian airspace, initially signaling a general emergency, followed by another indicating potential unlawful interference. The plane then transmitted the general emergency signal again before landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, as reported by flight-tracking website Flightradar24.

Flydubai issued a statement confirming that the flight experienced an incident en route to Tel Aviv and safely landed in Tabuk, with all passengers safe and accounted for. However, they did not disclose further information about the incident.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the pilots transmitted the emergency signals following a physical fight amongst themselves. The source of the alert—whether intentionally triggered by one of the pilots—is unclear.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened consultations to address the situation, which his office stated was under control. Efforts are underway to return the Israeli passengers to Israel, as the two nations lack official diplomatic relations. Flydubai frequently operates flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route popular among Israeli nationals.

This is not the first instance of a flight between Israel and the UAE diverting to Saudi Arabia. In September 2025, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Riyadh due to a medical emergency, as reported by Israeli media.