Omani Co-Pilot in Israel Flight Hijacking Case Studied at UK University

Omani co-pilot who attacked pilot on flight to Tel Aviv studied at UK university, sparking security concerns and investigations.

Editorial Desk

October 3, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Dubai, UAE — A co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was identified as an Omani national who had previously enrolled in a distance-learning program in aviation management at Buckinghamshire New University.

The incident, which involved the co-pilot allegedly using a crash axe to stab the captain, has raised serious questions about airline security protocols and background checks for crew members. The pilot, who was banned from flying last year due to concerns over radical views, was still hired by FlyDubai, according to reports.

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Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the alleged attack, which occurred during a flight with 174 passengers. Security experts have suggested that this event may lead to stricter screening of crew members, as threats from within the cockpit were not previously considered a major risk.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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