FlyDubai co-pilot — The co-pilot who stabbed the captain of a FlyDubai flight to Israel this week had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his ‘radical’ ideology, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The incident, which Israeli and Emirati authorities are treating as terrorism, occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026, forcing the plane into a sudden dive before it was diverted to Saudi Arabia.

The newspaper reported that Omani authorities had identified a potential ideological radicalization in the pilot and prohibited him from operating there. Despite this ban, he was later hired by FlyDubai and assigned to routes including flights between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. It remains unclear if Omani officials shared their security concerns with other countries or airlines.

During the flight, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife as the aircraft neared Israel over Jordan. Israeli officials stated the assailant tried to seize control to crash the plane but was subdued by passengers and crew. All 174 people on board landed safely after an emergency diversion.

Systemic Security Failures Exposed

Aviation security experts told the Journal the episode represents a significant security failure. They noted that even if a weapon bypasses airport screening, an individual flagged as a potential threat should theoretically be identified before being allowed into a cockpit. The attack has raised serious questions about information sharing between national authorities and airlines regarding pilots’ backgrounds and conduct.