Flydubai Flight Plunges 17,400 Feet After Hijack Alert, Lands Safely in Saudi Arabia
What Happened
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv transmitted emergency codes, including the hijacking code 7500, prompting a major security response. The aircraft reportedly dropped about 17,400 feet in two minutes, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. Israel scrambled fighter jets and held emergency consultations before later concluding that there was no hijacking or security threat. Reports indicate the alert may have been triggered by an altercation between the pilots.
Key Takeaways
The incident caused a brief hijack scare and military response, but authorities ultimately ruled out any unlawful interference, with all passengers reported safe after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.