{
  "id": 10894049,
  "title": "Flight to Israel diverts to Saudi Arabia as pilots fight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/flight-to-israel-diverts-to-saudi-arabia-as-pilots-fight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T08:00:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0930/1593453-pilot-fight/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after the pilots engaged in a physical altercation, according to Israeli officials. The Boeing 737 aircraft initially transmitted a general emergency signal while flying over Jordanian airspace, followed by another emergency signal indicating a possible unlawful interference. The plane then transmitted a third general emergency signal before landing safely at Tabuk airport, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the pilots had transmitted the emergency signals after a physical fight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations over the incident, and Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with the commander of the air force and other military officials. Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route popular among Israeli nationals. Despite the diversion, the Israeli airline stated that all passengers were safe and accounted for, and further updates would be issued as more details became available. Notably, Saudi Arabia and Israel do not maintain official diplomatic relations.",
  "summary": "A flight bound for Israel from Dubai diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals due to a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking, an Israeli official has said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Flydubai flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia due to pilots' physical altercation.",
    "Emergency signals transmitted over Jordanian airspace before landing safely.",
    "Israeli officials confirmed pilots' emergency signals after the fight."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}