Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
A FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain with an axe had previously been barred from flying by Oman Air due to concerns over extremist views. The incident, which occurred on an Israel-bound flight, has raised serious questions regarding international aviation security vetting processes.
Why it matters
The security lapse highlights potential vulnerabilities in cross-border airline hiring and the effectiveness of international security protocols for flights to Israel.
CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on an Israel-bound flight with an axe and trying to seize the controls was an Omani national who’d been barred from flying on his country’s airline because of concerns about extremist views, officials said Saturday.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control of the sharply plummeting plane in a “terrorist attack” Wednesday. His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.
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