A Flydubai co-pilot is accused of attacking his captain with an emergency axe and attempting to seize control of a flight bound for Israel, raising fresh questions about pilot vetting and aviation security.

The incident took place aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30, according to the United Arab Emirates, which has described the event as an attempted "terrorist" operation. Investigators are still working to establish a motive and whether anyone else was connected to the attack.

Media reports have identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Al Jazeera reported that al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged "extremist" views and was moved to an administrative role at Oman Air before he was later hired by Flydubai.

Questions are now being raised about how the co-pilot was cleared to operate the Tel Aviv-bound flight. Israeli officials have described the episode as exposing a "loophole", and Israel says it will strengthen its checks.

Source: Al Jazeera