Arrested co-pilot is said to have wanted to crash Flydubai plane

The arrested co-pilot and suspected cockpit attacker on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv apparently came to attention years before because of extremist views. As CNN and ABC News report, the man is said to have been classified as a security risk and suspended by his former employer, Oman Air. According to the Wall Street Journal, he was banned from flying by the airline. However, he was therefore allowed to continue working in an administrative role at the airline.

According to reports, extremist material was found on the suspected attacker from Oman as early as 2024. At that time he was employed as a co-pilot in training at Oman Air. According to ABC News, investigators are currently trying to find out how the man later managed to fly for Flydubai despite the flight ban.

The arrested man, who has now been brought to the Emirates, should therefore cooperate with the investigating authorities. He indicated that he intended to crash the Flydubai plane in Israel, ABC News quoted people with knowledge of the investigation as saying.

The Emirati airline's flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot with a knife. According to his own statements, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door despite serious injuries. Several passengers were then able to overpower the attacker.