India, Oct. 4 -- An Omani national who was reportedly prevented from pursuing a flying career in Oman after authorities identified his interest in extremist websites later joined Flydubai and was rostered on a Tel Aviv-bound flight-without, according to Omani officials, any foreign Government or airline first asking Muscat for a background check.

The disclosure raises a critical question at the heart of the investigation into the 30 September incident involving Flydubai flight FZ161: how did a pilot whose aviation career had reportedly been restricted in Oman pass the security checks required to fly internationally?

According to information obtained by The Pioneer, Hamam al-Hammami is an Omani national born in the UAE. His mother is of ...