Flydubai co-pilot completed a portion of his flight training in New Zealand, New Zealand police said after disclosing details in a statement on Tuesday. The disclosure relates to an incident last week in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the aircraft’s captain in what investigators describe as an attempt to crash the plane. New Zealand Police reported the trainee period took place seven years ago and involved a UK-based flight training organisation.
The police statement specifies the man was in New Zealand between November 2018 and May 2019 on a six-month student visa to complete part of his practical instruction. The revelation follows an initial review of the pilot’s background as authorities in multiple jurisdictions continue to assemble a chronology of his training and movements. flydubai has been identified as the carrier involved in the onboard attack, while investigators worldwide are piecing together records that could bear on licensing and oversight.
Flight training frequently involves placements with overseas schools and partner organisations, and instructors and regulators maintain records used in routine checks and investigations. The documentation cited by police — including visa dates and enrolment periods — forms part of what investigators examine when assessing a pilot’s qualifications and the routes by which they achieved certification. Authorities say these records can clarify where instruction took place and which bodies authorised the training steps.
New Zealand police reiterated that their information concerns the co-pilot’s time in the country and the training episode from 2018–2019; they also confirmed the student’s visa category. The broader probe into the in-flight attack and alleged attempt to crash the aircraft remains active, with officials continuing to review flight and personnel files and to coordinate with international counterparts. Further updates are expected as investigators compile evidence and clarify the sequence of events that preceded last week’s incident.
