Sources reveal that a suspected Omani pilot was excluded from a previous job due to concerns about his extremist views
Quick Look
Informed sources revealed to CNN that the Omani pilot suspected of assaulting another pilot on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv was excluded from his previous job with Oman Air last year due to concerns about his extremist views, and was transferred to the Emirates, where he faces an investigation on terrorism charges, while Israel investigates how he joined the flight crew despite Oman not recognizing Israel.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, where one pilot assaulted another, leading to the plane landing in Saudi Arabia and the suspect being transferred to the UAE for investigation. Oman does not recognize Israel, raising questions about how the Omani pilot got a job that would allow him to work on flights bound for Tel Aviv.
(CNN) - Informed sources revealed to CNN that the pilot - suspected of assaulting another pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on Wednesday - was excluded from a previous job with the Omani national airline last year due to concerns related to his “extremist views.”
A regional diplomatic source familiar with the case told CNN that the suspect was excluded from a training program due to fears that he would adopt extremist ideas, noting that he was transferred to another job within the company.
Another source reported that the pilot is an Omani citizen, and that he was born in the Emirates to an Omani father and a Syrian mother, and spent many years of his life in the Emirates. An Israeli official also confirmed the identity of the pilot.
The suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia - where the plane landed - to the UAE, where he faces investigation on terrorism-related charges.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that there is a belief that the suspect underwent a process of "indoctrination into extremist Islamic ideas."
An Israeli official told CNN that the suspect worked for Flydubai for only 8 months, while a third source said that the alleged assailant previously worked for Royal Air Maroc.
This information is likely to raise concerns about the importance of background checks when hiring in the aviation sector.
CNN contacted Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc, and the Dubai Government Media Office to obtain a comment.
For its part, Flydubai stated that it could not make any comment as long as the incident was still under investigation.
These new details leave unanswered questions about how an Omani citizen - knowing that the Sultanate of Oman does not recognize Israel - was allowed to work as a pilot on a flight bound for Tel Aviv, despite the strict security measures imposed by Israel in the field of aviation.
An Israeli official told CNN on Wednesday that several Israeli agencies - including the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the army, and the Ministry of Transport - are conducting investigations to find out how the Omani pilot joined the flight crew.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Security background checks for airline pilots in the Gulf will be tightened
Likely · Within weeks
Israeli investigations into the case will continue and reveal additional details about the pilot joining the flight crew
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How did the Omani pilot succeed in passing security background checks to work on flights heading to Tel Aviv despite Oman not recognizing Israel?
- What were the extremist views that led to his exclusion from training with Oman Air?
- What measures will airlines and aviation control take to prevent the recurrence of such incidents?
- Is there collusion or negligence in background checks for pilots in the Gulf aviation sector?
