Flydubai co-pilot is said to have wanted to crash the plane in Israel
Quick Look
- After an alleged attack by the co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, US media reported that the man had previously been fired from Oman Air due to safety concerns, was said to have possessed extremist material and said he wanted to crash the plane in Israel.
- The Israeli government assumes a jihadist terrorist attack.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was allegedly attacked by the co-pilot after he was previously fired from Oman Air over safety concerns and was said to be in possession of extremist material.
After the violence in the cockpit of an Emirati airline Flydubai, some things are still unclear. US media are now reporting explosive information about the alleged attacker.
After the incident on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, US media reported explosive information about the alleged attacker. (Archive image) Photo: Jamal Awad/dpa
Abu Dhabi. 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 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 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.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The investigation will reveal further details about the alleged perpetrator's connections to extremist networks.
Likely · Within weeks
The UAE and Israel will intensify their security cooperation in air transport.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- How could the man be hired at Flydubai despite his known security risk?
- What exact connections did the alleged perpetrator have to extremist groups?
- Why wasn't he under surveillance sooner by the Emirati or Israeli authorities?
