According to authorities, Flydubai co-pilot was planning an act of terrorism

The co-pilot of the Flydubai plane planned an “act of terrorism,” according to the Emirates Attorney General’s Office. The authorities said on Saturday that he attacked the pilot with the emergency ax in the cockpit on the flight from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday. The co-pilot seriously injured the pilot, but was able to be overcome by passengers, so that the plane later landed safely with more than 170 people on board. Details about the attacker's motive have not yet been revealed.

The co-pilot who 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.

The co-pilot is reportedly cooperating with authorities.

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 Wall Street Journal also reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the man had previously been banned from flying by Oman. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views.

According to ABC News, investigators are 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.

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.