Two pilots fight on Dubai-to-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight, forcing emergency landing in Saudi Arabia

On September 30, 2026, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the two pilots got into a physical fight. The plane, carrying about 150 passengers, transmitted emergency signals and rapidly descended before landing safely. Israeli officials said the incident was not a hijacking but a pilot altercation. Passengers reported hearing screams and seeing a man with a knife, though this was not confirmed. The flight had been popular among Israeli travelers since the UAE and Israel normalized ties in 2020.