Israeli authorities were put on alert on Wednesday morning by a signal transmitted from a Flydubai aircraft carrying 180 passengers on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

According to Army Radio, the aircraft activated an emergency code associated with attempted hijackings and sent out a distress signal.

The Times of Israel reports that the flight initially transmitted the code “squawk 7700”, an international emergency signal, before shortly afterwards transmitting code 7500, which indicates a hijacking or unlawful interference.

Security sources cited by the same outlet said that fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force took off and headed towards the aircraft.

The latest information indicates that the aircraft is expected to land in Saudi Arabia. Its last known position was at an altitude of 5,000 feet near Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, roughly one and a half hours from its scheduled arrival in Israel.

According to Ynet, the hijack alert appears to have been prompted by a row that broke out on board, with N12 reporting that the dispute was between the pilots, who activated the hijack code.

Aircraft changes course towards Saudi Arabia

The aircraft is reported to have changed course towards Saudi Arabia after previously circling over Jordanian airspace. Around 180 people are on board, and there has so far been no communication with the crew.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz and Transport Minister Miri Regev are holding emergency meetings to manage the situation.