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A second flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned back Wednesday, Israeli media reported, although the reason for the diversion was not immediately clear.
The flight, identified as FZ1081, is a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by flydubai. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft reversing course while en route to Tel Aviv before later resuming its journey, according to Flightradar24.
The confusion came after another flydubai flight, FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an incident involving the pilots. The aircraft transmitted emergency signals and made an emergency landing, with all passengers and crew reported safe.
Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an incident while en route and said it was cooperating with authorities. Israeli officials initially raised concerns about a possible hijacking after the aircraft transmitted an "unlawful interference" emergency code, but officials later said the incident was not believed to be a hijacking.
Israeli officials said the emergency signals were transmitted after a physical altercation between the two pilots. Reuters later reported, citing Israeli officials, that the co-pilot was believed to have stabbed the captain before cabin crew entered the cockpit and helped take control of the aircraft.
Tabuk airport authorities said both pilots were hospitalized with injuries. A passenger's mother told AFP that her daughter said one pilot attacked the other with a knife, prompting passengers to hear shouts for help.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the incident aboard the Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight as a terrorist attack and said the pilot involved had intended to crash the aircraft and kill the Israeli passengers.
"The naive notion that our enemies cherish life and that we should pity them received another reminder this morning in the form of a terrorist who planned to crash a plane and murder the 180 Israelis on board," Ben-Gvir said in a statement.
Ben-Gvir also said the incident showed Israel needed to step up its military campaign across the region, calling for continued operations in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. He said Israel’s "security doctrine must be taken to the next level" and that the country should continue fighting until achieving what he called "total victory."
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