Co-pilot is said to have deliberately crashed Flydubai plane to Tel Aviv

The co-pilot who is said to have injured the pilot of the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv was previously fired from his previous job at an airline in Oman due to safety concerns, according to US media. ABC News reports, based on senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, that the man was suspended from Oman Air after being deemed a security risk.

According to information from the US broadcaster, the suspected attacker from Oman was found to have extremist material when he was employed by the airline as a co-pilot trainee in 2024. However, he was therefore allowed to continue working there in an administrative role. The US broadcaster CNN has similar information.

The copilot is said to be cooperating with authorities

The Wall Street Journal also reports, citing people familiar with the matter, that the man from Oman had been banned from flying at an earlier point in time. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views.

According to ABC News, investigators are currently trying to find out how he was then allowed to fly for Flydubai. The arrested co-pilot, who has now been brought to the Emirates, should therefore cooperate with the investigating authorities. He indicated that he had intended to bring down the Flydubai plane in Israel, the broadcaster quoted sources familiar with the investigation as saying.

Israel's government assumes a jihadist terrorist attack

The Emirati company's flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked his colleague. According to his own statements, he managed to open the cockpit door despite serious injuries. Several passengers forced their way into the cockpit and were able to overpower the attacker.

The Emirati authorities have launched an investigation, but the motive and intentions of the alleged attacker are still unclear. The Israeli government is already assuming a jihadist terrorist attack - and a high-ranking government representative from the United Arab Emirates recently spoke of terrorism in connection with the violent act.