Flydubai Boeing 737 squawks hijack code 7500 near Tel Aviv, fighters scrambled

September 30, 2026 at 11:43 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A Flydubai Boeing 737 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv squawked emergency code 7700 and then hijack code 7500 on September 30, 2026, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets. Contact with the crew was lost as the aircraft turned away from Tel Aviv. The plane carried about 174 passengers, including 27 children, and was reported to be landing in Saudi Arabia.

Key Facts

The Flydubai Boeing 737 squawked emergency code 7700 and then hijack code 7500 while en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the aircraft after contact with the crew was lost.
The aircraft carried about 174 passengers, including 27 children, according to RBC; 1news reported about 180 passengers.
The plane changed course and began moving away from Tel Aviv, with reports indicating it was due to land in Saudi Arabia.
All flights at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv were suspended pending clarification of the situation.

Emergency Signals and Flight Path

The Flydubai Boeing 737, operating a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency squawk code 7700 followed by hijack code 7500. Contact with the crew was lost shortly after the codes were sent. Before approaching Tel Aviv, the aircraft sharply changed course and began moving away from the city. Israeli media reported that the plane was expected to land in Saudi Arabia within minutes.

Passengers and Security Response

The aircraft was carrying approximately 174 passengers, including 27 children, according to RBC. 1news reported that about 180 passengers were on board. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the airliner, The Times of Israel reported. All flights at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv were suspended until the situation was clarified.

Government Consultations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held consultations with the country's top military leadership regarding the incident. Preliminary reports suggested the incident involved violence among crew members rather than a security threat, according to the Golos Izrailya Telegram channel.