UAE investigators say flydubai co-pilot was planning 'terrorist act'

UAE investigators have said the co-pilot of a flydubai flight to Israel this week was planning a "terrorist act" and used the cockpit's emergency axe to attack the captain, but they did not reveal his motive.

Initial findings from the UAE's investigation into the attack also did not confirm his nationality, according to a report on Saturday from the country's state news agency WAM, but a Saudi source has confirmed to AFP that he was Omani.

Media reports have also said he had been barred from flying in his home nation over concerns about extremist views.

The reports came as the first flight carrying Israelis home from the United Arab Emirates landed in Tel Aviv after services were suspended following the attack, according to Israel's airport authority website.

"The co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act" and had "attacked the captain in the cockpit with the emergency axe and tried to take control of the aircraft," WAM quoted UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi as saying, referring to initial findings of an investigation.

Reporting by AFP