A specialized Australian counterterrorism task force is currently examining the background of a flydubai co-pilot involved in a mid-air altercation last week. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes state and federal law enforcement alongside intelligence officials, is tracing the man’s history following reports that he previously spent time in Melbourne. RMIT University has confirmed that an individual matching the description was once enrolled in an engineering program at their institution about a decade ago, though he reportedly never completed his degree.

The investigation follows a harrowing incident on flight FZ1073, where the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft while en route to Israel. The situation, which UAE officials have formally labeled a "terrorist attack," resulted in a sudden 16,000-foot descent before passengers and crew intervened to subdue the attacker. A reserve pilot on board eventually took command of the plane, landing it safely in Saudi Arabia. In response to the near-catastrophe, Israeli leadership has ordered a comprehensive security review of all foreign commercial flights entering the country to prevent similar security breaches in the future.