FlyDubai Co-Pilot Barred by Oman Over Extremism Claims Before Near-Crash Incident

Oman barred a FlyDubai co-pilot over extremism concerns before a near-crash. Aviation security under scrutiny after incident.

Editorial Desk

October 3, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Tel Aviv, Israel — A FlyDubai co-pilot who was previously prohibited from flying by his home country Oman due to alleged extremist views was involved in a near-disaster on a Tel Aviv-bound flight carrying 182 passengers, according to sources familiar with the case.

The co-pilot, who was later employed by the UAE-based airline, had been barred from operating aircraft in Oman, but it remains unclear how thoroughly he was vetted during his hiring process. The decision to block him was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, and the incident has raised serious questions about aviation safety and security protocols in the region.

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Following the event, the UAE suspended all flights to Israel, creating travel disruptions for hundreds of passengers. Repatriation efforts have begun, with the first flight departing the UAE and landing in Tel Aviv early Saturday. Israeli and Emirati authorities are conducting a joint investigation into the incident, though no direct link to Iran has been confirmed yet.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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