Farhan Qureshi 
Questions have been raised about pilot screening after an Omani pilots Tel Aviv flydubai copilot reportedly attacked a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on Sept. 30. The jet was diverted to Saudi Arabia after passengers and crew intervened and other pilots on board helped land it safely.
Reports Reveal Omani Pilot Restrictions Gap
The dozens of Omani pilots had apparently flown to Tel Aviv in recent years, despite restrictions on pilots from countries that have no diplomatic relations with Israel. Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and the reported arrangement has raised questions over the enforcement of the ban.
Israeli authorities relied heavily on airlines to stop pilots from countries with which Israel has no diplomatic relations from flying into Israel, the reports said. The identified gap was highlighted particularly after the flydubai incident, although the investigation found that the alleged screening failure did not cause or facilitate the attack.
Flydubai Incident Sparks Wider Security Review
The September 30 incident involved an Omani copilot who was alleged to have stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The injured captain was able to open the cockpit door, and passengers and crew members intervened before reserve pilots helped get the aircraft safely on the ground in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli authorities have since announced increased checks on pilots flying into the country. Israel will step up identity and security checks on pilots flying into the country as investigations involving Israeli, Saudi and Emirati authorities continue, Reuters said.
And the reported security concerns go beyond the single pilot. Questions about crew vetting, airline responsibility and information sharing among aviation authorities may determine future procedures for international carriers on routes to and from Israel and the Gulf.
Investigation Of Copilot’s Motives Continues
The motive for the alleged attack is currently under investigation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said publicly that the Omani copilot had been radicalised by Islamists. Israeli officials said that investigators were looking at whether the suspect had acted alone or was connected to a wider organisation.
The UAE said it was also investigating whether the incident was an act of terrorism, carried out deliberately. Saudi authorities treated the injured captain and detained the copilot after the emergency landing, and then both were transferred to Abu Dhabi after receiving medical treatment.
The investigations are still ongoing, and that’s important because the evidence that’s currently out there doesn’t point to a conclusive motive or any confirmed outside involvement. Authorities are trying to determine what happened and whether further changes in aviation-security procedures are needed. The reported screening gap and alleged actions on the aircraft are being investigated separately. Visit The Pakistan for more updates.
