UAE had shared FlyDubai flight details with Israel, including info on pilots, officials say

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1. 56m ago

   UAE Shared FlyDubai Crew Data with Israel Prior to Hijacking Attempt

   Authorities in the United Arab Emirates shared a passenger and crew manifest with Israel prior to last week's FlyDubai flight, which faced a hijacking attempt when a pilot tried to seize control and crash the Israel-bound aircraft. Regional officials confirmed that the shared data included the names and nationalities of the pilots. The incident has exposed severe security gaps and multiple security failures that allowed a pilot deemed unfit to fly to enter the cockpit and target Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

   Why it matters

   The hijacking attempt on the Israel-bound FlyDubai flight has drawn intense scrutiny regarding international aviation security and pre-employment screening. Investigators are examining how security lapses permitted the co-pilot, who allegedly planned the attack before being hired by the airline, to gain cockpit access. The disclosure that Emirati authorities shared flight manifests with Israel prior to takeoff highlights questions over how the security threat went undetected despite prior intelligence sharing.

   What is confirmed

   • Authorities in the United Arab Emirates shared a list of passengers and crew with Israel ahead of the FlyDubai flight.
   • The information provided by the UAE to Israel included the pilots' names and nationalities.
   • A pilot attempted to seize control of the Israel-bound FlyDubai aircraft and crash it.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The co-pilot planned the Flydubai attack before being hired by the airline.
   • The pilot planned a 9/11-style attack to crash the plane into Tel Aviv airport.

   What to watch next

   • Findings from the ongoing investigation into FlyDubai cockpit security failures
   • Additional details regarding the co-pilot's hiring background and psychological evaluations
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. AP News — UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalities
   2. CNN — Alleged Flydubai hijacking attempt exposes worrying gaps in aviation security
   3. abcnews.com — UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalities
   4. WSJ — Multiple Security Failures Allowed FlyDubai Pilot Into Cockpit
   5. CBS News — Hero passenger on FlyDubai flight: "I decided that we are going to survive"
   6. Reuters — Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before hired by airline, two Israeli officials say
   7. WSJ — How a Pilot Deemed Unfit to Fly Ended Up in the Cockpit of Flight 1073
   8. npr.org — Retired FBI special agent discusses the FlyDubai attack investigation
   9. NPR — FlyDubai attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, ongoing investigation finds
   10. www.yahoo.com — UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel ...
   11. economictimes.indiatimes.com — UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel ...
   12. www.nbcnews.com — Flydubai pilot planned 9/11-style attack, source tells NBC News
   confidence 100%