ABC: Flydubai co-pilot previously suspended after safety concerns
According to US sources, extremist material was found in the man’s possession during his training at Oman Air, but many details are not yet public.
There is news on this story (Saturday, 3 October 2026, 11:19): Emirates describe co-pilot’s attack as terrorist act
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The co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 was temporarily removed from the cockpit in 2024 after Oman Air classified him as a security risk. Sources told ABC News; Oman Air and the United Arab Emirates have so far not officially confirmed the earlier measure.
According to ABC News sources, the man was working as a trainee pilot at Oman Air in 2024. Extremist material was allegedly found in his possession at the time. He was then barred from flying for a year, but according to the same sources he continued working for the airline in an administrative role.
The sources say investigators are now examining how the man was later able to work as a co-pilot at Flydubai. They are also investigating how he came to be in the cockpit of a flight to Israel. ABC News writes that the information came from senior intelligence and law-enforcement officials. The identities of those sources have not been made public.
The new information follows the incident involving flight FZ1073 on 30 September. The aircraft from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai initially reported only that an incident had occurred during the flight and that all passengers and crew members were safe.
The airline later said there had been a conflict in the cockpit and that the crew had brought the situation under control. The Emirati aviation authority reported that several crew members were injured. The United Arab Emirates has established an investigation team from the Public Prosecution.
According to the Emirati authorities, the investigation is examining the circumstances, possible motives and any connection with terrorist activity. It is also looking at whether there had been preparation or direction. At the same time, the authorities are warning against unverified information and say they will announce conclusions only after the investigation has been completed.
Two lines of information therefore stand alongside each other. ABC News reports, citing anonymous sources, that there had previously been a security problem at Oman Air. The official statements do confirm the cockpit incident and the investigation, but say nothing about the alleged earlier suspension or whether there was a terrorist motive.
For airlines, the case could have implications for screening staff who move between airlines. This concerns not only what information employers are allowed to share, but also the reliability of security assessments, privacy rules and cross-border oversight. As long as the investigation is ongoing, it has not been established why the man was previously considered a risk or exactly how his subsequent appointment came about.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- ABC News reports, citing anonymous US sources, that the co-pilot was temporarily barred from flying at Oman Air in 2024 following a security assessment.
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted on 30 September and landed safely in Tabuk.
- The Emirati authorities are investigating the circumstances, possible motives and any terrorist involvement.
- The earlier security assessment, the subsequent move to Flydubai and the motive have not been fully established publicly.
Left
Arguments Typically emphasises that aviation safety is not only a technical issue, but also requires strong public scrutiny, clear reporting procedures and protection for employees who flag risks. Under this approach, information about serious safety problems should not disappear between private employers and national borders.
Values Collective safety, transparency, employee protection and responsible oversight.
Consequences Stricter public standards and better information-sharing could reduce risks, but could also undermine privacy or exclude people on the basis of insufficient evidence.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises an independent investigation that first establishes which information was reliable, what powers employers had and which rules applied. Under this approach, decisions on screening and data-sharing must be proportionate, reviewable and legally defensible.
Values The rule of law, due care, proportionality and institutional responsibility.
Consequences A step-by-step reform could be practical and easier to scrutinise, but might produce measures whose effects are less quickly visible.
Right
Arguments Typically emphasises that airlines and states have a major responsibility to keep people with serious security risks out of roles giving direct access to aircraft. Where risks are plausible, this approach gives prevention greater weight than procedural restraint.
Values Safety, prevention, national responsibility and clear accountability.
Consequences Stricter screening and restrictions on moving between airlines could increase confidence, but could also lead to discrimination, higher costs and mistakes based on secret or incomplete information.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based on an ABC News report citing anonymous sources and on official statements about the incident and investigation. Unconfirmed elements are explicitly presented as unconfirmed or as questions under investigation.
- confirmed ABC News reports that the co-pilot was classified as a security risk during his training at Oman Air in 2024. — Reported by ABC News on the basis of senior US intelligence and law-enforcement officials. source
- confirmed According to ABC News, extremist material was found in the co-pilot’s possession. — This is ABC News’s account; the claim has not been presented as an official finding. source
- confirmed According to ABC News, the co-pilot was barred from flying for a year and then worked in an administrative role at Oman Air. — ABC News attributes this to the same anonymous sources. source
- confirmed Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk. — Confirmed by Flydubai and the Emirati authorities. source
- confirmed The United Arab Emirates established an investigation team from the Public Prosecution. — Reported by the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Emirates News Agency. source
- confirmed The official investigation is also examining a possible terrorist connection or prior direction. — This is stated in the official statement by the Emirati authorities; it is not a conclusion about the motive. source
- uncertain The earlier security assessment explains why the man was later able to fly for Flydubai. — The sources describe investigators as examining this; no established explanation has been published. source
Editor's note
It is certain that flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk on 30 September, landed safely and that the Emirati authorities opened an investigation. The earlier suspension and the extremist material reportedly found were reported by ABC News on the basis of anonymous US sources and have not been publicly confirmed by Oman Air or the Emirati authorities; nor have the motive and responsibility been established.Sources
- Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials — ABC News
- In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny — Associated Press
- Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026 — flydubai
- UAE following incident involving flydubai flight to Tel Aviv — Emirates News Agency
The story so far
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 13:05 Israel begins repatriation flights after cockpit incident
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 02:14 ABC: Flydubai co-pilot previously suspended after safety concerns (this article)
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 09:19 UAE call Flydubai incident terrorist attack
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 11:19 Emirates describe co-pilot’s attack as terrorist act
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „flydubai luchtvaartveiligheid”
- Het Parool — „flydubai luchtvaartveiligheid”
- Trouw — „flydubai luchtvaartveiligheid”