The Boeing 737 reportedly first transmitted the international emergency code 7700 and then briefly switched to code 7500, which is used to indicate unlawful interference, including a possible hijacking.
The aircraft changed course during the flight and headed toward northern Saudi Arabia, while Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled after authorities lost clarity over what was happening aboard the plane.
At that stage, the Israeli regime’s officials were examining the possibility of a hijacking.
The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk Airport, with Flydubai confirming that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
The airline said the aircraft had “experienced an incident while en route”, adding that it landed safely at Tabuk and that further details would be provided later.
Possible hijacking scenario
The initial circumstances raised a serious possibility that the aircraft had been seized or that someone aboard had attempted to take control of the flight.
The activation of code 7500, the abrupt change in route and the reported loss of contact combined to trigger the security response, while authorities initially said all possibilities were being examined.
The aircraft's diversion to Saudi Arabia further intensified the uncertainty before the situation on board became clearer.
However, subsequent reports from media outlets pointed instead to a violent confrontation between the two pilots inside the cockpit, with the Israeli prime minister's office later saying the incident was not a hijacking.
Cockpit confrontation emerges as alternative account
According to reports, the confrontation between the pilots escalated during the flight and resulted in the emergency and unlawful-interference signals being transmitted.
A passenger quoted in reports said passengers heard shouting before the cockpit door opened and saw blood, while people aboard the aircraft intervened as the confrontation unfolded.
Another account carried by Israeli media alleged that one of the pilots attempted to bring the aircraft rapidly down from cruising altitude, prompting the other pilot to intervene.
That version remains part of conflicting accounts surrounding the incident and has not been independently established.
Meanwhile, reports said passengers and crew helped bring the situation under control before the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk.
The reported cockpit struggle also explains why the incident initially appeared to authorities as a possible hijacking, despite later assessments pointing toward an internal confrontation rather than an external takeover.
Israeli media reported that the regime’s air force was placed on alert and that senior security officials held emergency consultations as the aircraft's status remained unclear.
Israeli chief of the general staff Eyal Zamir also held an assessment with senior officers following the incident.