Flydubai copilot who attacked pilot on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was previously suspended by Oman Air

The Flydubai copilot who allegedly attacked the captain on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had been suspended from his previous job at Oman Air after being deemed a security risk, according to US media reports. ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, reported that the man was suspended by Oman Air after being classified as a security risk. The US broadcaster said that extremist material had been found on him in 2024 while he was a trainee copilot at the airline, but he was allowed to continue working in an administrative role. CNN reported similar information. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the man had been banned from flying in Oman at an earlier point due to fears that he held radical ideological views. ABC News reported that investigators are currently trying to determine how he was subsequently allowed to fly for Flydubai. The arrested copilot, who has been brought to the UAE, is said to be cooperating with investigators. He indicated that he intended to crash the Flydubai aircraft in Israel, according to sources briefed on the investigation. The flight was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the alleged attack occurred. The captain, despite serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, and several passengers entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker. The UAE authorities have launched an investigation, and the motive and intentions of the alleged attacker remain unclear. The Israeli government has already stated that it believes the incident was a jihadist terror attack, and a senior UAE government official also recently described the violence as terrorism.