FlyDubai co‑pilot planned to crash into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through the aviation and security communities, a co‑pilot of a FlyDubai flight has been charged with plotting to crash the aircraft into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The plan, uncovered by United Arab Emirates prosecutors, was allegedly inspired by the September 11 attacks and aimed at the airport’s passenger terminal. The incident, which occurred on 30 September, ended when passengers and crew overpowered the suspect, allowing the plane to land safely in Saudi Arabia.

From Dubai to Tel Aviv: The Incident

Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers – the majority of whom were Israeli – departed Dubai for Tel Aviv on 30 September. Mid‑flight, the co‑pilot, a 29‑year‑old Omani national, attacked the captain with an emergency axe inside the cockpit. The captain suffered a head injury but managed to open the cockpit door after a second attempt. A passenger‑pilot on the return leg entered the cockpit, restrained the suspect with the help of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and regained control of the aircraft. The jet then diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

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Unveiling the Plot

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi released a statement on Friday, citing the state news agency WAM. He said that investigators had found evidence that the co‑pilot, identified as Hamam al Hammami, had planned the attack in advance and intended to crash the plane into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport to cause the greatest possible loss of life. The suspect’s plan was said to have been inspired by the September 11 attacks in the United States.

According to the prosecutor’s findings, the suspect had used two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the route and the airport before attempting the attack on his third flight. The investigation, launched on 1 October, also uncovered that the suspect’s radicalization began in 2017 while he was studying in Australia. The suspect reportedly consumed extremist publications and online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks during that period.

He said the suspect had met all professional and security requirements for employment, including holding a valid pilot’s licence, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required background checks. “None of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot,” he added.

Background of the Suspect

The suspect’s career path, spanning Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc and FlyDubai, illustrates a pattern of employment across multiple airlines in different countries. Despite this, the UAE investigation found no indication that his recruitment processes revealed extremist views.

Reactions and Fallout

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers and the pilot for their bravery. He also ordered a “thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel.”

Oman, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, had banned the suspect from flying over concerns that he had adopted extremist views. The airline, in turn, suspended flights to and from Israel pending a further review at the request of authorities.

What Happens Next?

• The UAE prosecutor’s office will continue to verify whether the suspect acted alone and to investigate possible accomplices.
• FlyDubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, confirmed that the airline would keep the suspension of flights to Israel in place until further instructions.
• Israeli authorities are reviewing all security protocols for foreign civil aviation, with a focus on crew vetting and cockpit security.

Timeline of Events

• 2017 – Suspect studies in Melbourne, Australia; radicalisation reportedly begins.
• 2020‑2024 – Works for Oman Air.
• 2025 – Brief period with Royal Air Maroc.
• January 2026 – Joins FlyDubai.
• 30 September – Flight FZ1073 departs Dubai; co‑pilot attacks captain; passengers and crew subdue suspect.
• 30 September – Plane lands safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
• 1 October – UAE launches investigation into the incident.

Context and International Implications

The incident underscores the challenges of ensuring cockpit security in an era where individuals can acquire advanced aviation training and access to aircraft. It also raises questions about the vetting processes of airlines operating in politically complex regions. The fact that the suspect had previously been banned from flying in Oman for extremist concerns, yet was employed by FlyDubai, highlights potential gaps in cross‑border information sharing.