A co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reportedly planned to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport or a building in central Tel Aviv, according to US and Israeli reports.
What Happened
The incident occurred on a flight, FZ1073, departing Dubai last Wednesday. The co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe before being subdued by passengers.
After the attack, the plane was safely diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia. A second crew member managed to land the aircraft, preventing a potential disaster.
Key Facts
- The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, is an Omani national.
- He reportedly intended to fly into Israeli airspace and crash the Boeing 737 MAX — carrying over 180 passengers — into a tower block or the airport.
- His plan was described as resembling the 9/11 attacks in the US, with al-Qaeda-style tactics.
- He claimed he had previously attempted to hijack a flight to Tel Aviv but abandoned it due to knowing someone on board.
- He is described as a ‘lone wolf’ extremist, not acting on behalf of a group or foreign government.
Background and Security Concerns
Before joining Flydubai, the co-pilot was barred from flying with Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman. He was placed in an administrative role due to concerns about extremist views.
He was later hired by Flydubai after standard security checks. However, officials say those checks did not include a review of his background for signs of radicalisation.
Israel’s aviation regulations prohibit pilots from countries without formal diplomatic ties with Israel — such as Oman — from operating flights to Israel. This raises questions about how such individuals are vetted.
Israeli authorities confirmed that the transport ministry was not provided with passenger or crew lists for the flight. Security oversight for foreign airlines falls under the Shin Bet and Mossad.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has directed a review of all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation to Israel.
International Investigations
Australia is investigating the co-pilot’s links to the country. Sources indicate he studied there between 2015 and 2017.
The UAE attorney-general, Hamad al-Shamsi, said investigations are ongoing. Full details, including motives and connections, will be released once complete.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights gaps in international aviation security protocols, especially regarding vetting of pilots from countries with limited diplomatic ties to Israel.
It also underscores the need for stronger cross-border coordination in aviation security, particularly for flights involving multiple nations.
The event has prompted a broader review of how foreign airlines manage security clearances and background checks for personnel.
What to Watch Next
Authorities will release findings on the co-pilot’s extremist indoctrination and any links to radical networks.
Public scrutiny may grow over how airlines conduct background checks and whether such checks are sufficient to detect radicalisation risks.
Further details may emerge as investigations continue in the UAE and Australia.
For more on aviation security and international travel, see the original BBC report.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Cabin window views over Iran from Flydubai aircraft, 2022, 02.jpg by Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source · License
