New Zealand Police said the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073 spent 175 days in the country between November 30, 2018, and May 23, 2019.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Johnson said immigration records showed that the co-pilot entered New Zealand on November 30, 2018, and left on May 23, 2019, on a six-month student visa.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
New Zealand Police confirmed the co-pilot's stay from November 30, 2018, to May 23, 2019.
Immigration records show he spent 175 days in New Zealand.
He was in the country on a six-month student visa.
Police said he completed part of his flight training there.
UAE authorities are continuing their investigation into the Flydubai incident.
Police said he was in New Zealand to complete part of his flight training for a UK-based company that no longer operates in the country. Police are reviewing records and making further inquiries about his time in New Zealand.
The co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073 with an emergency crash axe during the flight. UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said investigations found that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act and tried to take control of the aircraft. He said investigations into the circumstances, motives and any possible links are continuing.
The identity of the accused co-pilot has not been publicly disclosed by UAE authorities or flydubai.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The New Zealand police confirmation provides additional information about the aviation training history of the co-pilot accused in the Flydubai flight incident.
