Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned to Hijack Aircraft, Crash Into Israeli Airport

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused an Omani co-pilot working for Flydubai of attempting to hijack a passenger aircraft and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport in a planned suicide attack.

According to a statement by UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi on Friday, the incident occurred on September 30, 2026, aboard a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Investigators believe the suspect was inspired by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States and had deliberately prepared for the operation.

The UAE prosecutor said the suspect had previously travelled on two flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and the airport.

Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Crash Axe

The incident occurred while the aircraft was flying through Saudi Arabian airspace, when the suspect allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe kept in the cockpit for emergencies.

The attack caused the aircraft to plunge approximately 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) in just 30 seconds, creating a dangerous situation for passengers and crew members.

However, the suspect was eventually overpowered, while two other pilots aboard the aircraft managed to land it safely in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect was subsequently transferred to the UAE, where Flydubai is based.

Investigation Finds No Warning Signs During Recruitment

Al Shamsi said investigators reviewed Flydubai’s recruitment and security procedures and found that the suspect had met all professional and security requirements.

The co-pilot reportedly possessed the necessary pilot's licence and had submitted a certificate of good conduct.

However, the attorney general said the recruitment process had revealed no indications of the suspect's alleged extremist views or plans to carry out a terrorist attack.

The 29-year-old suspect had previously worked for airlines in several countries, including Oman Air, before joining Flydubai in January 2026.

Investigators reportedly traced signs of his alleged movement towards extremism and terrorism to 2017, when he was studying in Australia.

Suspect Allegedly Prepared for Attack

According to the UAE attorney general, the suspect told investigators that he had prepared physically and psychologically for the attack by watching materials promoting terrorism and taking boxing lessons.

Royal Air Maroc previously confirmed that the suspect underwent three months of training with the airline in 2025, but his subsequent application for employment was rejected.

Although UAE authorities have not officially disclosed the suspect’s identity, a person familiar with the investigation told Reuters that he had been identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has launched a separate aviation safety investigation into the September 30 incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073.

The UAE investigation remains focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and the suspect's actions aboard the aircraft.