Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say
Middle East,Israel,Iran,Terrorism,UAE,Air Travel,Investigations
The flydubai co-pilot who stabbed his captain in a suspected attempt to crash the plane has told UAE interrogators he planned the attack before he was hired by the Dubai state-owned airline, according to two Israeli officials with knowledge of the probe.
A third source briefed on the UAE probe said the co-pilot, an Omani national, had planned to crash last Wednesday's flight into Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. He had also operated a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and intended to hijack and crash the plane then, but opted not to, the source added.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
The Insight
The Insight: Where Israel and Gaza Stand 3 Years After Oct. 7
AllSides Staff
October 9th, 2026
Red Blue Translator
Arab Spring
Headline Roundup
Fact Check: Are Voting Machines in Tennessee Flipping Votes for Marsha Blackburn?
October 27th, 2026
Recommended Reading
How Does Our History Shape Who We Are Today?
Guest Writer
October 27th, 2026