A flydubai aircraft issued a hijack alert after a fight between the pilots

A passenger plane of flydubai, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, changed course after two alert signals over Saudi Arabia. According to the Times of Israel, the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport, and the theory that it was seized after landing was ruled out.

According to Israeli security sources, the incident was caused by a conflict between two pilots: a verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation. It was because of this that the crew activated the signal for unlawful interference in flight, not because of an attempted hijacking of the aircraft.

The alert on board unfolded as follows:

• First the crew transmitted code 7700 — the general emergency signal.
• Soon after the aircraft transmitted code 7500, which is used in the event of a hijack threat or unlawful interference in flight.

After that the aircraft turned toward Saudi Arabia and headed to Tabuk airport. Israeli media reported that Israeli Air Force fighters were scrambled to intercept it.

It was the transmission of code 7500 that raised fears of a possible hijacking. However, after its safe landing this theory was dismissed.