FlyDubai co-pilot attacks colleague with axe

The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a FlyDubai flight was an Omani national barred from flying on his own country's airline because of concerns about extremist views.

UAE officials said the co-pilot attacked his colleague with the cockpit's crash axe and tried to take control of the plummeting plane on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radicalisation" but provided no evidence.

The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers flew to Israel on a separate flight on Wednesday, and received much cheer from those who welcomed them in Tel Aviv.