UAE: Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack
A Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight into the terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, according to a UAE official.
The United Arab Emirates' top prosecutor revealed that the Omani co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had planned a suicide attack, aiming to crash the plane into the international airport. The prosecutor's statement, published by state media, does not implicate Flydubai in any wrongdoing. According to the investigation, the suspect had familiarized himself with the flight route and airport using two previous flights to Tel Aviv.
He had worked for several airlines, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, before joining Flydubai in January 2026. The prosecutor found that the suspect met all the professional and security requirements for employment, including holding a pilot's license, providing a certificate of good conduct, and passing background checks.
The incident occurred on September 30, when the Indian captain was injured when the co-pilot attacked him with an axe. Passengers overpowered the attacker, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
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