Flydubai FZ1073 timeline: How the Israel-bound flight emergency unfolded

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after issuing emergency signals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the aircraft. There has been no independent confirmation of a hijacking attempt.
The co-pilot, whom an Israeli official identified as an Omani national, was arrested after the plane landed, Netanyahu said. Israel’s Ministry of Transport said there would be a joint investigation of the incident with the defence establishment. The nationality of the arrested individual has not been independently verified.

The emergency came a day after Netanyahu warned of possible attacks in the run-up to Israel’s October 27 election. Here is how events unfolded:

September 29: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has indications that its “enemies” could try to carry out attacks before the October 27 election. He does not specify the nature of the threat.

Later that night at about 20:30 GMT, opposition leader Yair Lapid receives a security briefing from Netanyahu. After the meeting, Lapid says there is “no reason to put the public in a panic” and says that security threats should be handled professionally rather than used in election messaging.

September 30 at 03:05 GMT: Flydubai flight FZ1073 departs Dubai for Tel Aviv, climbing to 34,000 feet (more than 10,000 metres), according to Flightradar24.

05:21 GMT: Flightradar24 data shows that the aircraft starts with a deep descent, is then followed by a sharp climb and a second steep descent. By about 05:33 GMT, it is flying at roughly 15,000 feet (4,572 metres).