Israel scrambles jets after FlyDubai 7500 alert

FlyDubai flight FZ1073 broadcast transponder code 7500, triggering Israeli fighter jets to scramble and prompting a hijack alert, officials said. The Boeing 737 was en route from Dubai to Israel on September 30, 2026, officials added.

7500 transponder code

Officials said air-traffic controllers received the 7500 signal — the transponder code used to indicate unlawful interference — and notified security forces. Israeli defence authorities scrambled combat aircraft and initiated procedures for securing the flight while investigators reviewed communications and radar data, officials said.

Aviation authorities said the airline has opened an internal inquiry and is cooperating with investigators. The company said it was treating the incident as a potential security event and that passenger safety remained its priority; it did not immediately confirm reports about the cause of the transmission.

Officials cautioned that a 7500 broadcast does not by itself determine intent and that investigators would examine cockpit voice recordings, transponder logs and ground-to-air communications. Airport operations experienced temporary restrictions while the alert was active, officials said, and some regional flight movements were adjusted.

An official statement is expected by September 30, 2026, as authorities complete an initial review and decide whether to widen the investigation or resume normal flight schedules, officials said.