Flydubai co-pilot was barred from flying before attacking Tel Aviv flight
Co-pilot flagged by Oman for adopting extremist views was later hired by the UAE airline and attacked the aircraft mid-flight.
The Flydubai co-pilot who attacked a Tel Aviv-bound aircraft was barred from flying by Oman over extremism concerns, according to a person familiar with the investigation. The airline hired him anyway.
How thoroughly he was vetted remained unclear. The attack forced the captain to fight back in the closed cockpit, and he sustained serious injuries.
Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot and restrained him with headphones. The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The incident has raised questions about aviation security and vetting procedures, given the high-profile nature of the flight route between the UAE and Israel.
- 182 passengers and crew
- People aboard
- Saudi Arabia
- Landing location
- Tel Aviv-bound from UAE
- Flight route
Why it mattersA known security concern was missed in airline hiring, raising urgent questions about who gets into aircraft cockpits and what checks are needed.
AustraliaAustralian travellers use Middle East routes regularly; the security lapse and subsequent flight cancellations between the UAE and Israel disrupt travel for thousands.
Corroborated bysmh.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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