Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Says

An Omani flydubai co-pilot allegedly planned to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash the aircraft into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide attack on September 30, according to UAE prosecutors.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al Shamsi revealed on Friday that the suspected terrorist plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. The findings emerged from a criminal investigation launched on October 1.

Investigators discovered that the 29-year-old suspect had taken two previous flights to Tel Aviv to study the flight route and familiarize himself with Ben Gurion Airport, according to the UAE state news agency WAM.

The attempted hijacking occurred while flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling through Saudi airspace. Prosecutors said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe normally stored in the cockpit for emergencies.

During the struggle, the aircraft reportedly plunged approximately 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) within 30 seconds. The attacker was eventually subdued, allowing two other pilots aboard to safely land the plane in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect was subsequently transferred to the United Arab Emirates for investigation.

UAE authorities also examined flydubai’s recruitment and security screening procedures. Investigators determined that the co-pilot had satisfied all professional requirements, including possessing a valid pilot's license and submitting a certificate of good conduct.

However, prosecutors found that these checks failed to uncover his alleged extremist beliefs or intentions.

According to Al Shamsi, the suspect had displayed signs of radicalization as early as 2017 while studying in Australia. He previously worked for several airlines, including Oman Air, before joining flydubai in January 2026.

Royal Air Maroc confirmed that the individual completed three months of training with the airline in 2025 but was subsequently rejected for employment.

Although UAE officials have not publicly identified the suspect, a source familiar with the investigation identified him to Reuters as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

Prosecutors said the suspect admitted preparing for the attack by watching extremist propaganda and taking boxing lessons.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian authorities have launched a separate aviation safety investigation into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073.

The UAE attorney general's findings did not indicate wrongdoing by flydubai, which had not immediately responded to requests for comment.