Melbourne’s RMIT University confirmed on 5 October that the co-pilot involved in the FZ1073 incident had been enrolled there but had not completed an engineering qualification, Reuters reports. The university did not disclose his name or attendance dates. This provides institutional confirmation of an Australian connection previously attributed to anonymous sources. Reuters
The statement does not establish where or how any alleged radicalisation occurred; those claims remain separate from confirmed investigation findings.
New Zealand Police have confirmed that they are investigating the FZ1073 co-pilot’s time in the country, working with other agencies where appropriate. Assistant Commissioner Michael Johnson said police were aware that the suspect had previously lived in New Zealand but declined to provide further details. AP News
The inquiry follows a separate Australian counter-terrorism investigation into his links there. Neither investigation has established where any alleged radicalisation occurred or identified a wider network. Claims concerning his motives, earlier plans and possible foreign links remain unconfirmed publicly.
US Vice-President JD Vance said on 5 October that he had seen no conclusive evidence linking Iran to the FZ1073 attack. He said intelligence agencies were still examining the possibility and declined to anticipate their conclusions. The Times of Israel
The statement qualifies earlier speculation about possible Iranian involvement. It does not rule out such a link, but none has been publicly substantiated by the United States, the UAE or Israel.
The co-pilot accused of attempting to seize control of flydubai flight FZ1073 may have intended to target Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, CNN reports, citing an Israeli official and a source familiar with the investigation. Both stressed that the UAE-led inquiry remains at an early stage and the suspect’s intentions have not been conclusively established.
The Dubai–Tel Aviv flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on 30 September after the captain and passengers intervened. The UAE Attorney-General has confirmed that the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft, describing the incident as an attempted terrorist act.
The investigation has also exposed questions over crew screening. Israel’s Tax Authority confirmed that authorities received passenger and crew names before departure. However, the Transport Ministry told CNN that its procedures do not include checking crew names and do not address a threat posed by a pilot.
CNN’s sources believe the suspect probably acted alone, with no known organisational link established so far. Reports that his previous employer, Oman Air, had restricted his flying duties over concerns about extremist views remain attributed to unnamed sources. Flydubai has declined to comment while the investigation continues.
Source: CNN
This post was published on 5 October 2026 23:33
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