Newsletters
A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after transmitting emergency codes, including one associated with a possible hijacking, prompting Israel to raise its air force alert level and scramble fighter jets.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport, first transmitted squawk code 7700, the international code for a general emergency, before briefly switching to 7500, according to Israeli media reports and flight-tracking data.
Code 7500 is used to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a possible hijacking, although the signal alone does not establish what happened aboard the flight.
About 180 Israeli passengers were reported to be on board.
The aircraft, registered as A6-FKF, changed course over Saudi Arabia. Israeli media reported that it was diverted to land there.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the incident was caused by a fight between the pilots.
Earlier in the incident, however, security officials said information remained unclear, and reports conflicted over communication between the pilot and the rest of the crew.
Army Radio reported that the aircraft had activated an emergency code linked to attempted hijackings and transmitted a distress signal.
A security official told Walla that authorities were working to determine what was happening inside the aircraft.
An aviation authority official said it would not be possible to determine with complete certainty what had happened until the aircraft landed and authorities completed their checks.
The Israel Air Force raised its alert level and scrambled fighter jets in response to the possible emergency, Walla reported.
There was no immediate confirmation that an actual hijacking had taken place.
A security official said the aircraft's cargo hold would be searched after landing and the crew would be questioned before authorities determined what had occurred during the flight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting with defense officials following the alert, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Ynet also reported that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz were holding an urgent security consultation over the incident.
Flight records list FZ1073 as a regularly scheduled flydubai service between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
Flydubai had not immediately issued a public statement explaining the emergency signals or the diversion.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
