TEL AVIV — Questions over Israel’s security procedures for foreign airline crews are emerging after an alleged cockpit attack on a Flydubai flight exposed a gap in the vetting of pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
The scrutiny follows Wednesday’s incident aboard Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Israeli authorities have identified the co-pilot as an Omani national, although his identity and nationality have not been independently confirmed by Oman, the United Arab Emirates or Flydubai.
The aircraft, carrying more than 170 passengers, descended sharply during the confrontation before passengers intervened and the wounded captain managed to regain access to the cockpit. The plane was subsequently landed safely in Tabuk by reserve pilots who were travelling on board.
The episode has now raised questions about how the co-pilot was cleared to operate a flight into Israel. Oman’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel is central to the issue.
According to an Israeli television report cited in the investigation, Israeli security procedures prohibit pilots from countries that do not recognise or maintain diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights into Tel Aviv. The report said dozens of Omani pilots had nevertheless operated Flydubai flights to Israel over several years.
The reported lapse has focused attention on the role of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, which is responsible for aviation security. The agency was reportedly expected to ensure that the restriction was enforced but, according to the report, relied largely on foreign airlines to comply with the requirement rather than independently vetting every member of their flight crews.
Israel’s Transportation Ministry has said Shin Bet did not issue a specific warning concerning Flydubai crews beyond requesting increased baggage checks.
The circumstances have prompted officials to examine how the co-pilot was approved for flights into Israel, what information was supplied about his identity and citizenship, and whether Israeli authorities were aware of his Omani nationality before he operated the flight.
The investigation comes as Israel and the UAE face a separate dispute over aviation security arrangements. Israeli security officials had previously raised concerns about security measures at Emirati airports, according to Israeli media reports, although the specific scenario involving an attack by a member of an aircraft’s own crew was reportedly not among the concerns discussed.
The distinction is important because the Flydubai incident involved an alleged insider threat rather than a conventional attempt by a passenger to breach cockpit security.
Israel introduced stringent aviation-security procedures after years of attacks involving its airlines and airports. Much of that system is designed around identifying threats before passengers and crew board an aircraft. The Flydubai case has raised the question of whether those safeguards were sufficiently applied to foreign airline crews operating regular services to Israel.
The UAE has also moved to take control of the investigation. Its attorney general ordered an inquiry into whether the incident involved terrorist activity, prior planning or direction. Emirati authorities have objected to conclusions about the motive being reached before the investigation is complete.
That position has created a divergence between the two governments. Israeli officials have publicly suggested that the attack may have been politically or ideologically motivated, while the UAE has stressed that the circumstances must first be established through its investigation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as an attempted attack and said passengers and crew prevented the aircraft from being brought down. Israeli officials have also said they are examining whether the co-pilot acted alone or had links to a wider organisation.
Those questions remain unresolved.
Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft landed, has completed its initial handling of the incident. The two pilots were treated for their injuries before being transferred to Abu Dhabi after receiving medical clearance. Emirati security officials participated in the Saudi investigation.
The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, has been identified as the pilot who was attacked. His actions during the confrontation have drawn praise from Indian and Israeli officials, while the circumstances surrounding the alleged attacker’s background remain under investigation.
For Israel, the immediate issue extends beyond the individual incident. Authorities must determine how a foreign pilot from a country without diplomatic ties to Israel was able to operate a Tel Aviv-bound service despite the reported restrictions.
For the UAE, the investigation carries implications for the security arrangements surrounding one of its busiest international air links and its aviation relationship with Israel.
The incident has therefore become both an aviation-security investigation and a test of the security arrangements underpinning direct travel between the two countries.
