The Omani co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel indicated to investigators that his intention was to crash the aircraft in Israel, ABC News reported Friday, citing sources briefed on the investigation.
The suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and is cooperating with authorities investigating the incident, according to the report.
ABC News also reported, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, that the suspect had previously been suspended from flying by Oman Air after being identified as a security risk. While working as a co-pilot trainee in 2024, he was found to be in possession of extremist materials, the sources said.
Investigators are examining how he was subsequently permitted to fly for Flydubai and became the first officer on a flight bound for Israel.
Flydubai said Friday it had temporarily suspended operations to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities and was fully supporting the official investigation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that the suspect had undergone “Islamist radicalization” and that authorities were investigating whether he had been sent by others.
“We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that investigators were examining whether Iran had a role in the incident and suggested an Iranian connection was possible. Asked how Washington would respond if Tehran’s involvement were established, Trump said Iran would be “hit very hard.”
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