An investigation has confirmed that a co-pilot aboard a commercial flight intended to carry out what officials are calling an act of terrorism while the aircraft was in the air. The man remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates as authorities continue to piece together his motives and the extent of his plans.
Several media outlets have identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, a pilot from Oman, the Gulf nation bordering the UAE and Saudi Arabia. According to those reports, Omani aviation authorities had already barred him from flying in the country after flagging what they described as extremist views—raising questions about how he was still able to work as a co-pilot on an international flight.
Investigators have not yet detailed exactly what the co-pilot allegedly planned to do once airborne, nor how close he may have come to acting on it. It also remains unclear whether the airline or UAE authorities were aware of the earlier restrictions imposed on him in Oman before he was cleared to crew the flight.
The case has drawn international attention given the serious safety implications of allowing someone with a documented history of extremist sympathies into a cockpit. Authorities in the UAE are expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues.
For the full story and additional details, read the original report at El Diario de Hoy.
Source: Investigación confirma que copiloto quería cometer un «acto terrorista» durante vuelo (El Diario de Hoy).
Image: wbaiv, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).