Flydubai flight: Arrested co-pilot is said to have planned a terrorist attack

According to information from the United Arab Emirates, the arrested co-pilot on a Flydubai flight is said to have planned a terrorist attack. The man attacked the pilot in the cockpit with an emergency hatchet and tried to take control of the plane, the Emirates Attorney General said. An emergency hatchet is usually kept in the cockpit so that it can be used in the event of a crash, for example.

According to the Attorney General's Office, investigations into the circumstances and motives are ongoing. Physical and digital evidence would also be examined.

The Emirati airline's flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot attacked the pilot. 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.

A Flydubai pilot traveling as a reserve took control of the aircraft and landed it at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. There the co-pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities.

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 reports, extremist material was found on him 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.

According to the Reuters news agency, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are jointly investigating the matter. The alleged perpetrator is said to come from Oman.