Fly Dubai flight to Tel Aviv sends hijack code after pilot brawl

A passenger Boeing 737 MAX operated by Fly Dubai, flying to Tel Aviv, transmitted code 7500 — the international signal for a hijacking or unlawful interference with a flight. According to Israeli media, there was no hijacking: the alert was triggered by a violent fight between the pilots in the cockpit, during which one of them lost consciousness.

Security sources say fighter jets from the Israeli air force were first scrambled to intercept the plane. Local media also reported that Israel's prime minister and defense minister convened an emergency meeting. Meanwhile, the aircraft stopped appearing on public flight-tracking websites.

According to available information, there were about 180 passengers on board.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the situation involving the Fly Dubai plane was “under control” and that the passengers would be brought home safely. “Measures are currently being prepared to ensure the safe return of the Israeli passengers to Israel,” the office said in a statement.

Source: novinky.cz