Israel-bound plane co-pilot behind suspected terror attack was Omani and had worked for Flydubai under a year
The pilot behind Wednesday’s suspected terror attack on a flyDubai plane bound for Israel was an Omani national who had worked for the airline for less than a year, according to reports.
Israeli officials are investigating whether the suspect — who has yet to be officially identified — held dual citizenship, given the strict travel restrictions between the two nations, sources in the Jewish State told Channel12.
Oman has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and Omani nationals must obtain a visa before entering the Jewish State.
The co-pilot started working for FlyDubai just months before he allegedly stabbed the main pilot in a feared terrorist hijacking on Wednesday’s flight to Tel Aviv, sources told Channel 12.
Israeli government ministers have since called for the country’s Civil Aviation Authority to investigate whether the UAE has breached its aviation agreement with Israel, the Times of Israel reported.
Only pilots with passports from countries with diplomatic relations with Israel are allowed to land in the country under the terms of the deal.
The attacker and the injured pilot have since been hospitalized, according to reports in Saudi Arabia, cited by Channel12.