The Origin of Flight Diverted from Israel to Saudi Arabia: Allegations of Hijacking
The diversion of a flight destined for Israel to Saudi Arabia was initially surrounded by allegations of a hijacking. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied that any hijacking occurred aboard the Boeing 737 aircraft.
As reported by Reuters and Ahram Online on Wednesday (30/09/202<0xC2>6), the incident involved a flydubai flight, number FZ1073, which departed from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), bound for Israel on Wednesday local time.
Data from the flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed that the flight was diverted while traversing Jordanian airspace towards Saudi Arabia. The aircraft was detected sending a general emergency signal, followed minutes later by another emergency signal indicating potential unlawful interference.
The aircraft sent another general emergency signal before landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Israeli media reports initially suggested that the aircraft, carrying nearly 180 people, sent an emergency signal before changing course within Saudi airspace, prompting the Israeli Air Force to deploy two fighter jets to intercept and inspect the commercial plane.
Separately, the BBC reported that the aircraft changed course after entering Jordanian airspace, subsequently turning towards Saudi Arabia.
Allegations of hijacking emerged after various media reports noted that flight tracking data showed the aircraft initially transmitted code 7700, signifying a general emergency, before subsequently transmitting code 7500, which is used to indicate a suspected hijacking or unlawful interference with aircraft operations.
During the initial handling of the situation, an Israeli security official stated that Tel Aviv had no definitive evidence of a hijacking, though they expressed concern due to an inability to establish communication with the pilots.
Subsequently, Israeli authorities clarified that the emergency situation appeared to be caused by a “fight between pilots” rather than a hijacking attempt. “The incident is believed not to be a hijacking,” said a spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office.
Another Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the pilots sent emergency signals after engaging in a physical fight with one another. The exact trigger for the altercation remains unclear.
A spokesperson for flydubai stated that the flight experienced an “incident” en route to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Tabuk, where the aircraft landed safely. According to the spokesperson, all passengers are safe.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Netanyahu consulted on the incident and emphasised that the situation “is under control.”
“The situation is under control, and all necessary steps are currently being taken to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated. It is noted that Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.