️🇦🇪🇮🇱 Israeli Channel 16: An anonymous Flydubai pilot who says he knew the Omani co-pilot accused of trying to destroy flight FZ1073, described him as a relatively new employee who joined the airline about eight months ago.

️🇦🇪🇮🇱 Israeli Channel 16: An anonymous Flydubai pilot who says he knew the Omani co-pilot accused of trying to destroy flight FZ1073, described him as a relatively new employee who joined the airline about eight months ago.

According to the pilot, the co-pilot exhibited unusual behavior at work and was particularly religious, praying frequently throughout the day and refusing to shake hands with women.

The pilot also harshly criticized Flydubai, claiming that the company's protocol only allows Emirati pilots - or pilots of other approved nationalities, such as the flight's Indian captain - to operate flights to Israel, and described allowing the Omani co-pilot on the flight as negligence that almost cost the lives of around 180 passengers.

"There is no other way to put it - we hired a terrorist," said the pilot on condition of anonymity.