Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised concerns about potential screening issues for pilots after an incident involving a flydubai flight co-pilot. According to Netanyahu, the co-pilot, who allegedly attacked the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, may have undergone a process of Islamist radicalisation.
During the flight, identified as FZ1073, the co-pilot reportedly attacked the captain, causing the aircraft to lose significant altitude before control was reestablished. Passengers managed to restrain the co-pilot, and another pilot took over the aircraft, ensuring the safety of all 174 passengers on board.
Netanyahu highlighted that the initial investigation pointed to the co-pilot’s radical indoctrination and mentioned that the attacker made statements suggesting a desire to die. The incident, he noted, reveals potential gaps in the screening procedures for pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel.
The Israeli authorities have traditionally conducted background checks on pilots operating certain flights, but this event has prompted a reevaluation of the existing screening processes. Netanyahu mentioned that investigators are also looking into any possible connections between the co-pilot and Iran, though he cautioned that it is too early to draw any definitive conclusions.
As the investigation continues, Netanyahu emphasized the need for enhanced scrutiny to prevent similar incidents in the future, reaffirming the importance of aviation security and the safety of passengers traveling to and from Israel.