Flydubai case puts pilot screening across borders under scrutiny

Investigators are examining how a Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain with an emergency axe aboard Flight FZ1073 on 30 September was cleared to fly to Israel. The UAE has described the incident as an attempted “terrorist” operation, but investigators have not established a motive or whether anyone else was involved.

Al Jazeera reports that sources told the Associated Press the co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in Oman over unspecified alleged extremist views and moved to an administrative role at Oman Air. A Gulf diplomat told AP he underwent standard security checks before being hired, but the extent of that vetting is unclear.

The reports leave open whether Oman informed other countries or airlines about its concerns. An airline pilot and instructor told Al Jazeera that screening varies by airline and country, with no single global standard.

Haaretz reported that Israel received crew and passenger lists before the flight departed, as required under a 2023 law. The lists are meant to be available to Israeli security bodies, but how the information was handled in this case remains unclear.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the case a “loophole”, and Israel says it will strengthen checks. The investigation has yet to establish what prompted the alleged attack or whether the reported concerns in Oman were communicated to Israeli authorities.