Omani co-pilot planned attack on flydubai flight to Israel before joining airline

Israeli officials say the Omani co-pilot of a flydubai flight to Israel planned his attack before joining the airline, having sought employment specifically to target flights to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, told UAE interrogators he had earlier flown to Tel Aviv intending to hijack and crash that flight but abandoned the plan, reportedly because he knew someone aboard. He attacked the captain with an axe on last Wednesday's flight before being subdued by passengers and crew. The flight landed in Saudi Arabia, and al-Hammami was transferred to UAE custody. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered a review of foreign airline procedures, while Australian authorities investigate the co-pilot's past studies in Melbourne.