Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that the flydubai flight FZ1073 co-pilot intended suicide, screaming "kill me" to the crew. Netanyahu stated that information gathered from the co-pilot's personal file revealed he underwent Islamic extremist indoctrination.
The Omani co-pilot is currently under interrogation in Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Netanyahu expects the suspect's transfer to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where flydubai's headquarters are located.
Netanyahu highlighted a security loophole, stating, "We have a regulation that pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel are not permitted to operate flights here. Clearly, the co-pilot circumvented that regulation. This means there's a loophole that needs to be fixed; we must ensure pilots are screened beforehand."
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview on 1/10. *Photo: Fox News* |
Saudi Arabian officials have not released the co-pilot's image or identity. Two Israeli security officials suggested the individual likely acted alone.
The incident occurred on 30/9 when flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, activated transponder codes 7700 and 7500. These codes signify an in-flight emergency and a hijacking attempt. The aircraft subsequently experienced abrupt altitude changes and could not maintain stable flight. Israeli authorities lost contact with the plane during the event, prompting the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to deploy fighter jets for monitoring due to fears of a takeover.
Contact was eventually re-established, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot reportedly attacked the captain and attempted to crash the plane. However, the captain resisted, receiving timely assistance from passengers.
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Passengers exiting the flydubai aircraft after an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia on 30/9. *Photo: Times of Israel* |
An anonymous flydubai pilot described the co-pilot, who had been with the airline for 8 months, as a "fanatic". The pilot noted, "His behavior was very strange; he often performed unusual religious rituals at work. He prayed all day and refused to shake hands with women."
The UAE has launched an investigation to determine if the incident was terror-related, or if it was pre-planned or directed. Israeli Defense Minister Katz confirmed that Israeli officials consider this a "terrorist attack by an Islamic extremist". The Saudi Arabian government's media office has yet to issue a statement regarding the ongoing investigation.
By Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters, Fox News)
