The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a flydubai jet on 30 September had planned to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv's international airport, according to the United Arab Emirates' top prosecutor. The Omani national, who was inspired by Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, intended to cause "the greatest possible loss of life," the prosecutor's findings published by state media said.
The incident unfolded on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying mostly Israeli passengers. According to the prosecutor, the co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in Oman over extremist views, yet he still met the professional and security requirements for employment with flydubai, including holding a valid pilot's licence, providing a certificate of good conduct, and completing the required checks.
Passengers described a chaotic scene as the aircraft suddenly dropped around 5,000 metres. The Indian captain was injured when the co-pilot attacked him with an axe, but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker. The plane then made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Heroism recognised in Jerusalem
On Thursday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to six Israelis who helped foil the attempted hijacking. "The civilian bravery and resourcefulness demonstrated by the heroes present here cannot overshadow the obligation to obtain full answers. Everyone, all of us, deserves clear and satisfactory answers," Herzog said, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
The attack has raised serious questions about aviation security screening in the Gulf region, particularly for flights to Israel. The fact that the co-pilot had a known history of extremist views in Oman yet was still employed by a major carrier highlights potential gaps in background checks. European aviation security experts will be watching closely, as many European airlines operate similar routes and share security protocols with Gulf carriers.
The incident also underscores the broader security challenges facing the region. Iran's IRGC has expanded tanker attacks beyond Hormuz, and Houthi missile strikes on Riyadh airport have already killed three people, including a pilot. These events highlight the volatile security environment in the Middle East, which directly affects European airlines flying to and from the region.
The flydubai incident also comes amid broader concerns about aviation security across Europe. Tallinn Airport has begun testing driverless shuttles near planes without onboard safety staff, a move that some security experts view with caution. Meanwhile, UK airports plan to scrap passport checks at e-gates by 2027, which could have implications for passenger screening.
The European Union has been stepping up its own security measures. The EU has expanded Russia sanctions by 1,646 names amid hybrid attack concerns, but aviation security remains a separate and pressing issue. European carriers, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, operate frequent flights to Tel Aviv and other Middle Eastern destinations, and they will be reviewing their own security protocols in light of this incident.
The attack has also prompted questions about the psychological screening of pilots. While the co-pilot passed standard checks, his extremist views were apparently not detected. This raises the question of whether more rigorous vetting is needed, particularly for pilots flying to high-risk destinations like Israel.
Israeli authorities have praised the quick thinking of the passengers, who managed to regain control of the aircraft. The six award recipients were hailed as heroes, but the incident has left many wondering how such a plot could have been hatched in the first place.
As the investigation continues, the UAE prosecutor's findings will likely lead to increased scrutiny of airline hiring practices across the Gulf and beyond. For European travellers, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aviation security, even on routes that are considered routine.
