On 29 March 2016, the flight was hijacked by an Egyptian man claiming to wear an explosive belt and forced to divert to Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus.

[5][6][7] After takeoff, the captain was informed that a passenger claiming to be wearing an explosive belt was demanding that the aircraft be flown to Cyprus.

[9] The aircraft safely landed at Larnaca International Airport at 08:46 local time (UTC+3), and stopped in a remote parking area.

[11] The hijacker later demanded to see his estranged wife, living in Cyprus, and sought asylum in the country.

In an earlier tweet, the ministry identified the hijacker as Seif Eldin Mustafa, an Egyptian national.

[19][20] Later in the day, a photo was circulated of a passenger seen smiling beside Mustafa, whose supposed explosive belt was visible underneath his coat.

An original verdict in support of extradition was appealed by Mustafa, on the grounds of human rights risks in Egypt.