7500 Hijacking Alert on Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight: Aircraft Lands in Saudi Arabia

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv declared an emergency during the flight. The aircraft reportedly first transmitted the general emergency squawk code 7700, followed by 7500, the code used to indicate unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.

Following the alert, Israeli Air Force fighter jets were reportedly scrambled, while the flydubai aircraft changed course and diverted to Saudi Arabia, landing at Tabuk Airport.

Israeli authorities initially said there was no confirmed information indicating a hijacking. Subsequent reports suggested that the incident may have been related to a dispute between members of the cockpit crew. An investigation into the incident has been launched.