Transportation Minister Miri Regev on Wednesday has requested that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) halt all flights by the airline flydubai entering and exiting the country following the suspected attempted hijacking of a commercial passenger aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, a source in the ministry confirmed to The Jerusalem Post.
According to the source, Regev’s decision was made after unverified reports indicating that the co-pilot suspected of hijacking the plane may have been of Omani origin. Israeli sources later corroborated to the Post that the suspected hijacker is believed to be of Omani nationality, according to initial investigations.
Flydubai’s agreement to operate in Israel explicitly states that all pilots must be from countries that have normalized relations with Israel, which does not include Oman.
“This is a clear breach of the agreement,” the source stated, “and the Shin Bet must look into this.”
The Post has learned that the Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF, and Transport Ministry have opened a joint probe into the incident, focusing on whether there was any indication of an attack prior to the flight, and how an Omani pilot would have been permitted to fly the aircraft.
Terminal 1 opens waiting and information area for family
Following her announcement, Regev also directed the Israel Airports Authority to open a waiting and information area for the families of everyone on the diverted flydubai flight located in Terminal 1’s arrivals hall.
“Family members who wish to come to Ben-Gurion Airport are invited to go to the designated area in Terminal 1, where they will be able to wait and receive information and updates as developments unfold. Representatives of the Israel Airports Authority will be on site and will assist the families as needed,” the IAI stated.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
