Wall Street Journal: Flydubai Co-Pilot Previously Traveled to Israel

The "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing sources, that Omani co-pilot Hammam Al-Hammami had traveled to Tel Aviv several times as a pilot.

The newspaper stated: "Flydubai hired him on this sensitive route to Tel Aviv, where he had previously traveled there several times."

Israeli Channel 13 reported yesterday, Sunday, that the Flydubai co-pilot admitted during interrogation in the UAE that he chose the company because it operates flights to Tel Aviv, and that he planned the operation before being employed.

The channel broadcast excerpts from the investigation with Hammam Al-Hammami, the co-pilot accused of attempting to crash the Flydubai flight, in which he admitted seeking employment with all airlines.

He was quoted saying: "I verified the airline that flies to Tel Aviv, and that is why I chose Flydubai. I planned for this before my acceptance." Hebrew Channel 12 reported that "the Omani pilot said during his interrogation that he planned to crash the plane at Ben Gurion Airport. Therefore, he attacked the pilot only in Jordanian airspace, near Israel."

An Israeli investigative team arrived in the UAE on Saturday to participate in the interrogation alongside security agencies from other countries. The investigation focuses on suspicion that Al-Hammami had previously traveled to Israel, while estimates suggest he acted alone.

The Emirates News Agency reported that authorities opened an investigation to determine the circumstances and motives of the incident, and whether it was linked to terrorist activity or prior planning or direction.

Source: "Wall Street Journal"