flydubai co-pilot was ‘religious extremist’, ‘refused to shake hands with women’, says colleague

flydubai co-pilot described as “religious extremist”; refused to shake hands with women, colleague says

The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, who is accused of attacking the aircraft’s captain in an incident that Israeli authorities have called a terror attack, was described by a colleague as a “religious extremist” who “refused to shake hands with women.” The co-pilot, an Omani national who joined the airline eight months ago, was arrested after the plane landed in Saudi Arabia. flydubai has suspended flights to Israel pending its own investigation, and UAE authorities say they will probe whether the incident was motivated by terrorism.

“He prayed excessively throughout the day and refused to shake hands with women,” a fellow pilot told Channel 16’s foreign correspondent Yosef Yisrael when describing the co-pilot’s behaviour on board.

The incident unfolded when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. Captain Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door, a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic midair disaster.” Netanyahu also told Fox News that the Omani co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” and said it might be possible to determine within days whether the co-pilot had any connections to Iran.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machchhar for his actions on X: “In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valor helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.”

Officials have disclosed limited details about the co-pilot’s identity beyond his nationality and the length of his service with flydubai. The airline confirmed the co-pilot joined eight months ago and has refrained from labeling the incident a terror attack while its internal investigation is underway. The UAE has similarly said it will investigate to determine whether terrorism was a motivating factor.

After the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia, authorities there detained the co-pilot. Flydubai announced it would cancel all of its flights to Israel until the carrier’s investigation concludes. Passengers and crew who entered the cockpit reportedly restrained the assailant after Machchhar opened the door, according to statements from Israeli officials and other accounts of the event.

• Aircraft: flydubai flight FZ1073
• Captain: Smit Machchhar (Indian national)
• Co-pilot: Omani national, joined flydubai eight months ago; arrested in Saudi Arabia
• Responses: flydubai suspended Israel flights; UAE to investigate motive
• Public statements: Yosef Yisrael quoted colleague on behaviour; Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi praised the captain

Outlook: Investigations by flydubai and UAE authorities are ongoing and will seek to establish motive, any external links and the sequence of events that allowed the co-pilot to attack the captain mid-flight. flydubai’s suspension of Israel routes will remain in force until those inquiries conclude, and regional authorities have signalled co-ordination with Saudi officials who conducted the arrest. Further official details are expected as investigators review cockpit procedures, crew training and the co-pilot’s background to determine whether the incident represents isolated criminal behaviour or has broader security implications.