A flight bound for Israel from Dubai diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals due to a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking, an Israeli official said on Wednesday.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a fight broke out between the pilots, Israeli media reported.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 turned around over Saudi Arabia and landed at Tabuk airport.
Flydubai confirmed that there had been an "incident" on board, according to broadcaster Al Arabiya.
Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that the pilot was of Russian origin and the co-pilot of Ukrainian origin. The two allegedly fought in the cockpit until one of them lost consciousness.
The Boeing 737 plane then again transmitted the general emergency signal before landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, the website said.
The incident was not believed to have been a hijacking, the Israeli prime minister's office said.
Flydubai was not immediately available for comment.
An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the pilots had transmitted the emergency signals after getting into a physical altercation with each other.
Three Israeli security officials earlier told Reuters that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations over the flight. Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir also held a "situational assessment" with the commander of the air force and other military officials, Israel's military said in a statement.
Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv. Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have official diplomatic relations.
Passengers were instructed to remain seated and not leave the aircraft after it landed in Saudi Arabia. Only the two pilots were taken off the plane.
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