Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport or building, reports say
A Flydubai co-pilot is accused of attempting to hijack a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with the intent of crashing it into a major Israeli airport or building. Reports suggest the individual was a lone-wolf extremist who attacked the captain with an axe before being subdued.
Why it matters
This incident highlights severe aviation security threats and the ongoing risk of radicalized individuals targeting international travel infrastructure.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, A second flydubai plane flew the stranded passengers from Saudi Arabia to Israel
The co-pilot accused of trying to hijack a flydubai plane planned to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport or a tower block in the Israeli city, US and Israeli reports suggest.
The Omani national was a "lone wolf" extremist, according to the reports.
The United Arab Emirates' attorney-general has said the co-pilot attempted to carry out a "terrorist act" on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv last Wednesday.
He attacked and wounded the captain with the emergency crash axe kept in the cockpit before being overpowered by passengers. Another crew travelling on the plane was able to land it in Saudi Arabia.
Israel's prime minister has said the co-pilot underwent "Islamist radical indoctrination" and the captain, passengers and a second crew prevented "a 9/11 disaster".
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