Israel to Increase Security Checks on Pilots After Flydubai Attack

Israel is implementing heightened security checks on pilots operating flights into the country after a co-pilot on a flydubai flight allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane. The incident, which occurred on a flight bound for Tel Aviv, has prompted a swift security review from Israeli authorities.

Heightened Security Measures

Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed authorities to "ramp up security" on all flights to Israel, regardless of the carrier's nationality. The new protocols will involve more thorough vetting of flight crews.

"Every pilot that is going to be flying into Israel, we are going to know the pilots’ identities, know who they are, and do some type of security check," Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office, told Reuters. He added that while Israel already has some of the world's most stringent security, the incident serves as a wake-up call to further tighten procedures.

The Flydubai Incident

The security review was triggered by a dramatic event aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel. According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot attacked the pilot before being subdued with the help of passengers. The aircraft was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities arrested and interrogated the co-pilot.

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Key details from the incident include:

• The flight was carrying 172 passengers, 169 of whom were Israeli nationals, according to Israel's permanent mission in Geneva.
• The Dubai state-owned airline, flydubai, has cautioned against "premature speculation," stating that many details remain unclear.
• The motive for the attack has not been disclosed, and it is unclear what weapon was used.

Pilot Vetting Under Scrutiny

The attack has raised questions about international standards for pilot screening. While security vetting for pilots was substantially increased after the 9/11 attacks, aviation experts note that implementation can vary. The International Civil Aviation Organization sets standards, but individual countries and airlines are responsible for their execution.

According to Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation security at Coventry University, pilots typically undergo extensive background checks as well as continuous medical and psychological assessments. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) told Reuters that safety oversight for flydubai rests with the UAE's civil aviation regulator, the GCAA.