Two pilots believed to have connections with the Omani co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a flydubai flight and carry out a terrorist attack have arrived in the Maldives.

The two pilots are co-pilots working at flydubai. UAE police arrested the two pilots for questioning as part of the investigation. The two pilots lived in the same building as the accused co-pilot Hammam Al-Hammami and had met separately with Hammam, who is implicated in this case.

At the request of the Maldivian government, the UAE deported the two pilots to the Maldives, and they arrived earlier today.

Police Spokesperson Ahmed Shiyam told 'One' today that the two pilots were taken into police custody for questioning, and stated that if any action is taken against the two individuals, it will be communicated.

During a flydubai Boeing 737 Max 8 flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, with approximately 174 passengers on board, co-pilot Hammam attempted to crash the plane by attacking the captain inside the cockpit.

Amidst the struggle, the altitude of the aircraft dropped drastically and suddenly. According to flight tracking data, the plane, which was cruising at approximately 34,000 feet, descended to 16,600 feet in less than two minutes.

Some passengers reported that the plane dropped more than 14,000 feet within 30 seconds. Fox News reported, citing passengers, that panic ensued inside the plane at that moment, overhead compartments opened, and power was cut. Aviation data shows that the plane's cockpit sent a "Squawk 7700" emergency signal, followed shortly by a "Squawk 7500" signal indicating a hijacking or unlawful interference.

The plane was saved from crashing when the wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter, overpower the co-pilot, and take control of the aircraft.

According to news outlets like ABC News and CNN, extremist literature was found in the possession of 29-year-old Al-Hammami in 2024, and reports indicated that his social media accounts featured photos encouraging terrorism. Media sources stated that following this, he was removed from his trainee pilot position at his former employer, Oman Air, and reassigned to another job. Additionally, Al Arabiya reported that he was influenced by extremist ideology during his time in Syria.

Reports indicate that Hammam, who was arrested in connection with the attack on the captain of the flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is cooperating with the UAE authorities' investigation.