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Flydubai plane attack: co-pilot previously barred from flying by Oman over extremist views
The UAE has cancelled all flights to Israel, complicating travel for hundreds of passengers who fly between the countries on a typical day
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The Flydubai co-pilot who officials said nearly crashed a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 182 people aboard was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a person familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
The co-pilot was subsequently hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. It was not immediately clear to what extent he was vetted when he was hired in the Emirates. Oman’s move to bar the co-pilot from flying was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and Western diplomat, on Saturday. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
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