{
  "id": 10925875,
  "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after pilots’ brawl",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-pilots-brawl",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T10:00:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-pilots-brawl/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, en route to Israel, was unexpectedly diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after experiencing a brawl between the pilots, according to an Israeli official. The Boeing 737 initially transmitted an emergency signal, indicating a possible hijacking, but Israeli authorities later clarified that the incident was not a hijacking. The plane then transmitted further emergency signals, highlighting the tension between the pilots. After landing safely, all passengers were accounted for and unharmed. Although the Israeli prime minister's office stated the matter was under control, efforts were being made to return the Israeli passengers to Israel, despite the absence of official diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. An eyewitness, Yasmin Abu Kasis, reported hearing screams and witnessing a man allegedly taking a knife to subdue a pilot, resulting in bloodshed. This incident is not unique, as a similar situation occurred in September 2025 when a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Riyadh due to a medical emergency.",
  "summary": "Flydubai from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted over Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:40:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10898029",
        "published": "2026-09-30T08:25:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10905499",
        "published": "2026-09-30T08:50:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10912794",
        "published": "2026-09-30T09:46:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10910718",
        "published": "2026-09-30T09:53:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Commercial plane travelling from Dubai to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after distress call",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/commercial-plane-travelling-from-dubai-to-israel-diverted-to-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:15:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10917430",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:34:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nation Africa",
        "title": "Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israel-bound-flight-diverted-to-saudi-arabia-after-brawl-between-10938623",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:35:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Israeli officials suspect possible attack attempt on Flydubai flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/israeli-officials-suspect-possible-attack-attempt-on-flydubai-flight",
        "published": "2026-09-30T10:45:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "‘No talks, our stance on Israel remains unchanged’: Saudi Arabia denies talks with Netanyahu in UAE",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/no-talks-our-stance-on-israel-remains-unchanged-saudi-arabia-denies",
        "published": "2026-09-30T11:03:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}