IAF reservists describe response to flydubai hijacking scare

Israeli Air Force personnel detected a distress signal from a flydubai aircraft last week, initially treating it as routine before a second signal indicated a possible hijacking, prompting fighter jets to be scrambled and Israeli airspace to be cleared. Lt. N., an aerial image identification officer, said the first signal was not alarming and could have been a malfunction, but the second hijacking code changed the assessment. Maj. D., head of national airspace defense, said the aircraft was detected between Saudi Arabia and Jordan heading for Tel Aviv, and the response escalated within seconds. The aircraft turned away from Israel, and officials ran war-game scenarios for about half an hour amid uncertainty. Capt. A., an air traffic manager, said airspace was cleared for scrambled jets, though he had never closed the skies before. Tension remained until confirmation that the aircraft landed safely and Israeli passengers departed.