Hijacking attempt on Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv: the Omani co-pilot wanted to crash at Ben Gurion airport

New details emerge on the Flydubai flight, bound for Tel Aviv, on which there was an attempted hijacking by the Omani co-pilot. According to Channel 12, which cites rumors coming from the ongoing interrogations of the co-pilot in the United Arab Emirates, the man wanted to crash the flight into Ben Gurion airport in Israel after receiving landing permits. Furthermore, the investigations revealed that the co-pilot had already landed at that airport several times - the last in June and July - and that he had been planning the attack for months: in June he collected various elements, while in July - again according to rumors - he had planned to carry out the attack but changed his mind at the last minute because a friend of his was among the crew. However, the suggestion that the co-pilot acted alone is strengthened: an Israeli source told CNN that, at the moment, Israel is not aware of any links the aggressor has with groups or governments.

Netanyahu orders review of foreign flight security

Meanwhile, in Israel there is discussion about security checks. The Haaretz newspaper, which cites security sources, revealed that Israel had received the list of crew members of the Flydubai flight in advance: the list, which included the nationalities and names of the crew members, had been received by the Israeli Tax Authority 48 hours before the flight and should have been verified by the competent bodies, including the Mossad and the Ministry of Transport. The Tax Authority confirmed having received the data, while the Ministry of Transport gave conflicting versions on the receipt and control of the list. After what happened, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a thorough examination of all aspects related to the safety of international flights to the country.

Netanyahu invites Indian commander to Israel: "A true hero"

Netanyahu also invited to Israel, as a guest of honour, the Indian captain of the flight who prevented the plane from crashing after being attacked by the co-pilot. “You are a true hero of the brave people of India and Israel and you are a hero of the whole world,” Netanyahu said, addressing commander Smit Machchhar, in a phone call broadcast by video from his office. The pilot reportedly opened the cockpit door after the co-pilot assaulted him, allowing passengers on board to intervene and secure the plane.

In-depth analysis

FlyDubai, hero pilot: "I opened the door while I was under attack"

The co-pilot's attack with the emergency axe

And details about what happened continue to emerge. The co-pilot used the emergency ax (mandatory) supplied with the cockpit to attack his colleague. Investigations carried out in Saudi Arabia, where the flight made an emergency landing, found that the co-pilot "had begun to carry out a terrorist act". The investigation now continues "to clarify all the circumstances of the accident and the related reasons", the investigators added. The prosecutor did not disclose the nationality of the co-pilot - currently in custody in the United Arab Emirates - but various international media have reported that he is 29-year-old Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani father and a Syrian mother, with several years of life spent in the Emirates. The pilot had been banned from flying planes for safety reasons by Omani authorities, who believed he had been influenced by radical Islamist groups during a stay in Syria. There are still several unanswered questions, for example how al-Hammami could have boarded the plane despite the ban on pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Oman, from operating direct flights to Israel.

In-depth analysis

FlyDubai, the suspected attacker identified: he is a 29-year-old Omani