Flajdubai flight with 150+ Israelis lands in Saudi Arabia after hijack attempt

A Flajdubai aircraft carrying more than 150 Israelis was forced to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets and closed Israeli airspace while the plane, about 640 kilometres from Israel, changed course toward Saudi Arabia.

The co‑pilot allegedly attacked the captain and tried to seize control before the flight crew regained control; the captain overcame the co‑pilot, unlocked the cockpit and the crew subdued the attacker, after which two off‑duty pilots took over and directed the landing. Israeli officials said the co‑pilot had planned the attack before being hired by Flajdubai and intended to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, while investigators consider the incident likely a lone‑wolf attack and say the investigation is ongoing.