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ConflictsMiddle East

Israel-bound flight triggers hijack alert after pilot brawl

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Gerhard Elfers
September 30, 2026

A FlyDubai plane on its way to Tel Aviv had to be diverted to Saudi Arabia after an emergency signal ― and later a hijack alert ― was set off shortly after an abrupt change of direction and rapid descent.

Details are still emerging after a fight between pilots of a Tel Aviv-bound commercial flight broke out in the cockpit. The FlyDubai plane had taken off from Dubai in the UAE before suddenly losing altitude and transmitting emergency alerts. It prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets, fearing a hijack. The plane eventually managed to land in Saudi Arabia.

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