A Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight landed in northwestern Saudi Arabia after an alleged physical confrontation between its pilots triggered emergency signals.

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after its two pilots reportedly became involved in a physical altercation during the journey, prompting emergency signals from the aircraft.

The Boeing 737, operating as Flydubai Flight FZ1073, changed course while flying over the region and eventually landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft transmitted emergency signals before landing in Tabuk.

An Israeli official said the incident was not considered a hijacking, adding that it was believed to have stemmed from an internal dispute between the pilots.

According to reports, the pilots were involved in a physical confrontation inside the cockpit. However, it was not immediately clear who activated the emergency signals or what specifically triggered the dispute.

The incident prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defence officials to hold security consultations, while the Israeli military carried out a situational assessment involving senior Air Force leadership.

The diversion attracted particular attention because the aircraft was bound for Tel Aviv but landed in Saudi Arabia, a country that does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

The incident also raised questions about how the reported confrontation unfolded inside the cockpit and how the aircraft's diversion was coordinated.

Flydubai had not immediately issued a public statement on the incident at the time of reporting.

Authorities and the airline are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation, the activation of the emergency signals and the decision to divert the aircraft to Tabuk.

Further details are expected as the investigation into the incident continues.