Why four pilots were aboard flydubai flight when the attempted hijacking began - exclusive
The additional pilots were added to the flight because possible regional rerouting could extend the journey and push the original crew beyond permitted duty hours
Assessment
This detail about the extra pilots reveals how airlines plan for contingencies in a region where rerouting is a real possibility. The hijacking attempt itself is not described, but the crew scheduling choice shows that flydubai anticipated disruptions before takeoff. What remains unclear is whether the hijacker knew about the extra crew or if that changed the outcome. Watch for any official account of how the incident unfolded and whether the additional pilots played a role in resolving it.