FlyDubai Co-Pilot Grounded by Oman Air Before Alleged Mid-Flight Attack: Report

The co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of a FlyDubai flight en route to Israel was grounded by Oman Air in 2024 after the airline discovered he had been visiting radical Islamic websites, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News. The co-pilot is believed to have moved to Dubai later that year.

Authorities are investigating a potential terror link to the incident, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the attack terrorism and stating the suspect had undergone "Islamic radicalization." Netanyahu suggested the attacker intended to crash the plane.

According to the source, FlyDubai did not conduct a background check with Oman Air before hiring the co-pilot. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing individuals familiar with the matter, that the Omani national had previously been banned from flying due to concerns about radical ideological views, though it remains unclear if Omani officials shared these concerns with other countries or airlines.

The alleged attack occurred on Wednesday aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers and officials reported that the co-pilot stabbed the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to enter a steep dive. Two reserve pilots aboard the flight regained control and diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia. Passengers and crew members subsequently overpowered the suspect.

Netanyahu also stated that Israeli authorities are investigating whether the suspect acted alone or had accomplices. The United Arab Emirates is leading the official investigation into the incident.

The event has intensified scrutiny of airline pilot vetting procedures and aviation security, particularly for flights serving Israel. Aviation security analysts told The Wall Street Journal that the episode highlighted a significant security failure and raised questions about how potential warning signs were missed before the co-pilot entered the cockpit.

FlyDubai has suspended its flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv following the incident. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.