Flydubai co-pilot targeted Tel Aviv airport in 9/11-style plot, reports reveal

Key points

• The co-pilot planned to crash the Boeing 737 MAX into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport or a central tower block, mimicking the 2001 US attacks.
• He attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe before passengers and crew overpowered him, allowing the plane to land in Saudi Arabia.
• Reports describe the suspect as a lone wolf extremist who underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, with no links to foreign governments or radical organizations.
• The co-pilot had previously attempted to hijack a flight to Tel Aviv but aborted the plan after recognizing a passenger.
• Security questions focus on how the pilot passed standard checks despite prior extremist concerns and why he was permitted to fly to Israel despite Oman lacking diplomatic relations with the country.

Background

This incident follows earlier reports of a Flydubai flight being diverted to Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane. Previous coverage highlighted the intervention of passengers and crew, as well as initial questions regarding pilot vetting procedures and aviation security protocols in the region.

Why it matters

The incident exposes critical gaps in international aviation security, specifically regarding the vetting of foreign pilots and the enforcement of diplomatic restrictions on flight operations. It highlights the potential for lone wolf extremists to exploit standard hiring processes to target high-profile destinations, prompting a review of security oversight for foreign civil aviation in Israel.

What to watch

UAE authorities are expected to announce the full circumstances, motives, and any links related to the incident upon the conclusion of their investigation. Israel's National Security Council is reviewing all security aspects regarding foreign civil aviation, while Australian authorities continue to investigate the co-pilot's links to the country where he studied between 2015 and 2017.