Flydubai hijacking attempt widens into multi-country investigations

A flydubai co-pilot's alleged attempt to hijack an Israel-bound flight on 30 September has triggered investigations across four countries.

• Passengers and crew overpowered co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami after he allegedly stabbed the pilot, and the plane landed in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where he was detained.
• Washington has launched a review of Israel's visa-waiver status and sent an inspection mission to the country's airports after the attack.
• Israeli police opened an investigation into two transport ministry officials over security failures and alleged conflict of interest linked to the flydubai flight.
• New Zealand police opened an investigation after confirming Hammami held a student visa there for flight training from November 2018 to May 2019.
• The co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe, causing the Boeing 737 Max 8 to plunge 14,125 feet in 29 seconds.
• Israel readied fighter jets to shoot down the plane, but retracted the order when it diverted toward Saudi Arabia.
• UAE authorities classified the incident as a terrorist act, and flydubai suspended its flights to Tel Aviv.
• Saudi Arabia opened a safety investigation into last week's incident, with experts examining its implications for aviation safety.
• The UAE is leading a separate criminal investigation into the stabbing of the pilot.