Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Emergency Triggers Brief Hijack Scare

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv declared an emergency and turned back over northern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, briefly triggering a hijack scare.

Hebrew media reported that Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled after the aircraft transmitted a code indicating possible unlawful interference. The flight was reportedly carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.

According to Ynet, the hijack signal was triggered by an altercation between the two pilots, leading to a false alarm.

Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, reportedly held an urgent security consultation, while police established a joint command centre.

A spokesperson for Netanyahu later confirmed that there was no hijacking, while an official Israeli Air Force statement on the reported deployment of fighter jets was awaited.