Copilot suspended by Oman Air is accused of attacking pilot on Dubai–Tel Aviv flight

A copilot accused of attacking the pilot aboard a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had previously been suspended by Oman Air over concerns about extremist views, officials say. United Arab Emirates authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist act and have opened a criminal investigation.

What happened on the flight

The aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the copilot reportedly attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with an emergency axe, a tool carried on board aircraft for use in crises. Despite serious injuries, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door and passengers subdued the assailant, after which a second flight crew landed the plane in the Saudi city of Tabuk following a loss of altitude during the incident.

UAE prosecutors said the copilot planned a "terrorist act." The suspect was later transferred to the United Arab Emirates; Israeli officials say he is of Omani origin. Israeli authorities have characterized the episode as a jihadist terrorist attack.

Earlier reports indicate the man had been suspended by his former employer, Oman Air, after being assessed as a security risk. Media accounts state he once stayed in Syria and that extremist materials were found while he served as a trainee co-pilot in 2024. After those findings he was reportedly moved to an administrative role rather than being allowed to continue flying.

UAE investigators say they are probing the motives behind the attack, whether the suspect had links to other individuals or groups, and are conducting technical inspections alongside analysis of physical and digital evidence collected from the aircraft and from the suspect.

The investigation remains active and authorities have not released further details about the suspect’s identity or any formal charges beyond the prosecutor’s statement that the act was intended as a "terrorist act."

Photo: arhiva