New details from the investigation into the attempted terrorist attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 indicate that the co-pilot allegedly planned the attack before he was hired by the airline and intended to crash an Israel-bound aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport.

Two Israeli officials familiar with the investigation told Reuters that the co-pilot allegedly told investigators in the United Arab Emirates that he had planned the attack before joining Flydubai. A third source briefed on the investigation said Ben Gurion Airport was the intended target. Reuters

According to the report, the co-pilot had previously operated another flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and allegedly considered hijacking and crashing that aircraft as well, but ultimately abandoned that plan. The reason he changed his mind on that earlier flight remains unclear. Reuters

The latest revelations follow the September 30 attack aboard Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE authorities have said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Passengers and crew members intervened, and a reserve Flydubai pilot ultimately landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. Reuters

The UAE Prosecutor General has officially described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. The investigation into the suspect's motives and whether others were involved remains ongoing.