Flydubai diverted a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Tel Aviv to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after a serious cockpit incident during flight FZ1073 from Dubai. The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport, and all passengers were confirmed safe and accounted for after the emergency diversion.
The flight transmitted emergency transponder codes during the journey, including 7700 and 7500, prompting concern over possible unlawful interference before the aircraft changed course. Airport and other reports indicated that both pilots were injured and taken to hospital, while the nature of the confrontation remained under investigation.
Flydubai described the event only as an incident and did not publicly detail the cause. Available reporting pointed to a violent altercation in the cockpit, but the underlying motive has not been confirmed. The aircraft was operating from Dubai International to Ben Gurion Airport when it diverted to north-western Saudi Arabia.