A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted after a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit, according to reports. The incident occurred two hours into the flight on Wednesday morning. The plane descended over 17,000 feet before passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attacker had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination” before the incident.
The co-pilot, identified as a former military pilot, had posted online about “killing Jews” prior to the flight. Israeli authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack. The UAE has launched an investigation into the incident. The co-pilot was detained after the flight landed safely.
Netanyahu described the co-pilot’s actions as an act of terrorism. He linked the attack to Islamist radicalisation, citing the suspect’s online activity. The incident has raised concerns about security in aviation. The UAE Attorney-General has ordered a probe into the incident. The co-pilot is currently in custody.
This is not the first time Flydubai has faced security issues. In 2022, a similar incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where a passenger attempted to hijack the plane. That incident was also linked to radicalisation. The current case highlights ongoing challenges in monitoring extremist activities. The co-pilot’s background and online posts are under scrutiny. The incident has prompted calls for increased security measures in the aviation sector.
