CNN: Flydubai co-pilot was previously fired from Oman Air over extremist views

The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv had previously been fired from Oman Air last year over concerns about his extremist views, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the situation, according to Kommersant.

The report said the dismissal from Oman Air predated the pilot's role on the Flydubai flight, raising questions about the vetting process used when he was subsequently hired by Flydubai. Kommersant's account, citing CNN, did not identify the co-pilot by name or specify the exact nature of the concerns that led to his earlier dismissal.

Airlines operating in the Gulf region maintain hiring and security screening protocols for flight crew, though the report suggests a gap existed between Oman Air's decision to dismiss the pilot and his later employment by Flydubai on a route to Tel Aviv, a sensitive destination given regional security considerations.

CNN's sourcing, as relayed by Kommersant, was based on individuals described as familiar with the situation rather than named officials, and neither Flydubai nor Oman Air were quoted directly in the report.

It was not immediately clear whether the pilot remains employed by Flydubai or what, if any, action either airline has taken since the report's details emerged.