UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight - Reuters

An Omani national serving as a co‑pilot for flydubai is reported to have devised a plan to hijack a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The scheme was intended to be carried out on 30 September as a suicide attack.

According to the United Arab Emirates’ attorney general, the co‑pilot intended to seize control of the aircraft during the flight and deliberately impact the terminal building at Ben Gurion Airport. The plan was reportedly motivated by the attacks of 11 September 2001.

The plot was allegedly foiled when the pilot seated beside the co‑pilot detected the intention and intervened, preventing the aircraft from being commandeered. The intervention stopped the co‑pilot from executing the attack before the flight could reach its destination.

UAE prosecutors have stated that the co‑pilot’s actions were inspired by the 2001 attacks in the United States. The authorities have disclosed the details of the plan through official statements, indicating that the investigation is ongoing.

Legal proceedings are expected to follow, with the co‑pilot facing charges related to terrorism and attempted murder. No further information on additional suspects or broader networks has been released at this time.