Tel Aviv-Bound Flight from Dubai Triggers Hijacking Scare After Pilot Dispute

Israeli Fighter Jets Scrambled Amid Fears of a Possible Hijacking

On the 30th (local time), a passenger aircraft operated by Flydubai, which departed from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was headed to Tel Aviv, Israel, reportedly triggered a brief hijacking scare after an emergency signal was sent due to a dispute between the pilots.

According to local media outlets such as The Times of Israel, the aircraft, which was carrying approximately 180 passengers that morning, transmitted the international emergency signal "squawk code 7700." Shortly after, the signal was changed to "code 7500," which indicates aircraft hijacking or unlawful interference.

Flydubai Passenger Plane [AP Yonhap News]

In response, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, considering the possibility that the aircraft had been hijacked, were scrambled immediately, given Israel's ongoing war with Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly convened an emergency response meeting as well.

However, Israeli security authorities stated that the incident originated from a quarrel between the pilots of the passenger aircraft and that all passengers were safe.

A regional official who was briefed on the incident told the Associated Press that a physical altercation took place in the cockpit and that the situation appeared to be a dispute among the pilots. The reason for the fight was not immediately known, according to the official.

The authorities are investigating the specific circumstances that led to the aircraft issuing an emergency signal.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that the Israeli government is working to ensure the safe return of all passengers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.