flydubai's Boeing 737-800. Photo: Achia Balmes Additional details are emerging about the fight between passengers that led to the broadcast of distress calls from Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which landed in Saudi Arabia.
According to passengers on the flight, it was a fight between the pilots that caused the distress signals to be activated. According to security sources, one of the pilots lost consciousness during the incident, which also involved the plane's passengers.
Another significant piece of information is that, according to Flightradar24 data, the flight, which, upon arriving at the Jordanian border, was at a cruising altitude of approximately 34,000 feet, plunged approximately 15,000 feet within minutes at around 9:20 AM, an extreme figure that could indicate a highly unusual event on the plane.
In recent hours, discussions have been taking place between Israel and Saudi Arabia about sending Israeli planes to repatriate passengers from Abu Dhabi, meaning landing Israeli planes in Saudi Arabia to repatriate the passengers.
Screenshot from Flightradar24: The plane dived almost 20,000 feet in minutesThe flight, which took off from Dubai at 07:00, was scheduled to land in Tel Aviv around 09:30. Shortly after entering Jordanian airspace, the flight was diverted and returned to Saudi Arabia, where it landed at Tabuk Airport. Air Force jets were scrambled to escort the plane to ensure that it was not a security incident.
It appears that another plane will depart from Dubai to fly passengers from Saudi Arabia to Israel.
flydubai said: "Flight FZ1073, which took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB) en route to Ben Gurion Airport, experienced an incident during the flight. The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU), and all passengers are safe and sound. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our top priority. Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities. Further updates will be provided when we have further verified details."
The Prime Minister's Office stated: "Following the fear of an aviation incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations on the issue and monitored developments. The incident is under control, and all means are now being deployed to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel."
An IDF spokesman said: "Following reports, the Chief of Staff has in recent minutes conducted a situation assessment with the Air Force Commander, Chief of the Air Force, Chief of the Intelligence Directorate and other commanders."
The Ministry of Transportation stated: "Transportation Minister Miri Regev conducted a situation assessment with all parties and is closely monitoring the incident, which is being handled by security forces."
The Airports Authority stated: "Israel's airspace is open and aviation activity is proceeding as usual at all airports. It should be emphasized that the airspace was open at the time of the incident and was not closed at any stage."