A FlyDubai flight headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a distress call was broadcast from the cockpit, according to multiple outlets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations over the diverted flight, Israeli sources reported.
Accounts of what triggered the diversion vary. A spokesperson for Netanyahu's office said the incident was not a hijacking or kidnapping, according to Arab News and The Straits Times. The Jerusalem Post and Independent Journal Review reported that officials blamed a fight between the pilots, while The Times of India described it as a hijacking scare in which an emergency code was triggered.
According to The Daily Wire, Israeli officials and passenger accounts described an Omani co-pilot stabbing the Emirati captain and attempting to crash the jet, with the plane dropping 18,000 feet before passengers intervened and restrained him. This detailed account was not corroborated by other outlets.
Passenger numbers reported also differ: The Jerusalem Post cited about 180 Israeli passengers on board, while Independent Journal Review cited about 174 passengers, including 27 children, who landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The Christian Science Monitor reported that Israeli passengers described a thwarted attack aboard the flight.
How each side covered it
Left
- CNN reported the flight was diverted after the pilot broadcast an emergency signal, citing sources.
“Flight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency signal, sources” — CNN
Center
- Netanyahu's office said the incident was not a hijacking, according to Arab News and The Straits Times.
- Netanyahu held consultations over the diverted flight, according to Israeli sources cited by CNA.
- The Times of India described the event as a hijacking scare with an emergency code triggered.
- The Christian Science Monitor reported Israeli passengers describing a thwarted attack.
“FlyDubai pilot tried to crash Israel-bound passenger jet after stabbing colleague, Netanyahu says” — Arab News
Right
- The Jerusalem Post and Independent Journal Review reported officials blamed a fight between the pilots.
- The Daily Wire reported, citing Israeli officials and passenger accounts, that a co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane before passengers intervened.
- Passenger counts cited ranged from about 174 to 180 people on board.
- Independent Journal Review reported the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
“Passengers Overpower Terrorist Hijacker, Stop 9/11-Style Plane Attack” — The Daily Wire
Questions readers ask
What happened to the FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv?
A FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an emergency distress signal was broadcast from the cockpit. The plane landed safely, according to Independent Journal Review, which said it landed in Tabuk.
Was the flight hijacked?
Sources disagree. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the incident was not a hijacking or kidnapping, according to Arab News and The Straits Times, while other outlets described a hijacking scare or an emergency hijack code being triggered.
What caused the diversion, according to officials?
The Jerusalem Post and Independent Journal Review reported that officials blamed a fight between the two pilots. The Daily Wire, citing Israeli officials and passenger accounts, reported a more serious account involving a stabbing and an attempted crash, though this was not confirmed by other outlets.
How many passengers were on board?
Reports differ: The Jerusalem Post cited about 180 Israeli passengers, while Independent Journal Review cited about 174 passengers, including 27 children.
What did Netanyahu do in response?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations over the diverted flight, according to Israeli sources cited by CNA and The Straits Times.
Sources · 43 outlet reports
- ABC NewsLeft-leaningTel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit incident, Israeli source says
- ABC News (Australia)Left-leaningBreaking: Dubai to Tel Aviv flight lands in Saudi Arabia after signalling emergency
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningFlydubai flight to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after emergency alert
- Associated PressLeft-leaningA commercial plane traveling from Dubai to Israel is diverted to Saudi Arabia after a distress call
- BloombergLeft-leaningFlyDubai Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Lands in Saudi Arabia After On-Board Issue
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningFlight to Tel Aviv diverts to Saudi Arabia after reported feud between pilots
- CNNLeft-leaningFlight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency signal, sources
- HuffPostLeft-leaningIsraeli Officials Say Diverted Flydubai Incident May Be Attempted 'Terror Attack'
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningFlight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted after emergency alert sparks alarm
- The Daily BeastLeft-leaning‘Violent’ Altercation Between Pilots Causes Flight Diversion
- The GuardianLeft-leaningIsrael-bound passenger plane makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningFlyDubai Flight to Tel Aviv Issues Distress Signal Before Landing in Saudi Arabia
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningFlydubai flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after onboard altercation
- Arab NewsCenterFlydubai flight diverted after midair cockpit fight breaks out between pilots
- BBC NewsCenterIsrael-bound flight diverted after fight between pilots
- BBC SportCenterIsrael-bound flight diverted after fight between pilots
- CNACenterIsrael-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
- CNBCCenterIsrael-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
- Deutsche WelleCenterFlydubai pilot investigated over possible attempt to crash Tel Aviv-bound flight
- EuronewsCenterPlane bound for Israel lands in Saudi Arabia after distress call
- Financial TimesCenterUAE-Israel flight diverted after distress signal and 20,000ft drop
- France 24CenterPilots on UAE-Israel flight hospitalised after brawl forces emergency landing
- NewsNationCenterA commercial plane traveling from Dubai to Israel is diverted to Saudi Arabia after a distress call
- NewsweekCenterIsrael Flight Emergency: What We Know About Possible Pilot Fight
- ReutersCenterIsrael-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
- RTÉ NewsCenterFlight to Israel diverts to Saudi Arabia as pilots fight
- Sky NewsCenterFlight from Dubai to Tel Aviv lands 'safely' in Saudi Arabia after 'brawl between pilots'
- South China Morning PostCenterFlyDubai flight to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after incident in cockpit
- The Christian Science MonitorCenterIsraeli passengers tell of thwarted attack on FlyDubai flight
- The Irish TimesCenterIsrael-bound flight makes emergency landing after ‘pilots started fighting in cockpit’
- The Straits TimesCenterCockpit brawl sparks mid-air emergency on Israel-bound flydubai flight
- The Times of IndiaCenterDubai Flight Hijack: Hijacking scare on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight; emergency code triggered, plane diverted to Saudi Arabia
- The Wall Street JournalCenterFlight to Israel Makes Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
- UPICenterPhysical altercation in cockpit forces FlyDubai flight to divert
- BreitbartRight-leaningUpdate: Israel-Bound Flydubai Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Attempted Hijacking
- Fox NewsRight-leaningFlydubai pilots reportedly fight in cockpit, triggering hijacking fears and Israeli fighter jet response
- GB NewsRight-leaningFighter jets scrambled to Tel Aviv flight after 'pilot tried to hijack plane'
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningFlydubai Flight To Tel Aviv Declares Emergency And Diverts To Saudi Arabia
- New York PostRight-leaningIsrael-bound plane forced to make emergency landing after pilots’ brawl sparks hijack fears: reports
- The Daily WireRight-leaningPassengers Overpower Terrorist Hijacker, Stop 9/11-Style Plane Attack
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningFlydubai aircraft activates hijack-related code en route to Tel Aviv
- The TimesRight-leaningHijack alert on flight to Israel ‘triggered by fighting pilots’
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningA commercial plane traveling from Dubai to Israel is diverted to Saudi Arabia after a distress call