The [FlyDubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flydubai) co‑pilot accused of assaulting the captain during a Tel Aviv‑bound flight had earlier been barred from operating in [Oman](https://www.oman.om) over concerns that he had embraced extremist views, according to a source familiar with the case.
Despite the Omani restriction, the individual was subsequently hired by the Dubai‑based carrier, the source added, and it is unclear how thoroughly he was screened before joining the airline.
The Wall Street Journal first disclosed that Oman had prevented the co‑pilot from flying. The revelation arrives as investigators probe the episode that compelled a Boeing 737 carrying 182 occupants to execute an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The event has sparked scrutiny of aviation security and passenger‑screening protocols as officials examine the cockpit altercation.
The [United Arab Emirates](https://www.government.ae) has halted all flights to Israel in the wake of the attack, disrupting travel between the two nations.
[Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel) and the UAE have since organized repatriation flights for passengers stranded after commercial services were suspended. The inaugural repatriation flight departed the UAE late on Friday and touched down in Tel Aviv shortly after 1 a.m.
Dubai had become a favored destination for Israeli travellers following the establishment of diplomatic ties under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Israeli investigators are taking part in the inquiry, although Emirati authorities are leading it, according to an official with knowledge of the matter.
The official said it was not yet clear whether the attacker acted as part of a broader network and noted that no evidence currently links the incident to Iran.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said early information suggested a possible connection to Tehran but offered no details, warning that the United States would respond forcefully if Iranian agents were found responsible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the co‑pilot as having undergone “Islamist radicalisation,” though he provided no supporting evidence.
UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash labelled the episode a “dangerous terrorist act” and praised the captain for averting a larger catastrophe.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, sustained injuries during the assault and was later transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, where he is recuperating in a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a televised video call that he had been fighting for his life after being attacked inside the cockpit.
“I had so many wounds. I fell down. I was fighting for my life. At one point I realised that if I didn’t get up … passengers would lose their lives,” he recounted.
Investigators have continued to reconstruct the flight after the aircraft abruptly dropped to roughly 16,600 feet more than two hours into the journey.
A passenger seated near the front reported hearing sounds of a struggle inside the cockpit shortly before the plane began its steep descent.
The aircraft later climbed to about 21,725 feet before descending again to around 15,000 feet, where it levelled out until a safe landing.
Passenger Daniel Schlichter described the descent as terrifying, especially for the children on board.
“One of the things that I will never forget is the shouting of the children. I could hear them screaming, ‘We don’t want to die! We don’t want to die!’” he said.
The captain eventually managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the co‑pilot.
Passengers held the co‑pilot on the cabin floor and bound his hands with headphones while a dentist travelling on the flight tended to the injured captain.
The incident involved 174 passengers and eight crew members, the majority of whom were Israelis.