A preliminary investigation by the United Arab Emirates has revealed that Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old co-pilot for Flydubai, allegedly planned to hijack his aircraft and crash it into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. According to the UAE attorney general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the suspect was motivated by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, which served as the inspiration for his career in aviation and his subsequent plot. The incident occurred on September 30, when al-Hammami attempted to seize control of a flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Authorities stated that al-Hammami intended to crash the plane into the passenger terminal to cause maximum casualties. Investigators noted that the pilot had visited Ben Gurion Airport twice prior to the incident to familiarize himself with the route. The hijacking attempt was ultimately thwarted when the captain and several passengers intervened, successfully restraining the co-pilot and regaining control of the flight. Al-Hammami reportedly told investigators that he acted alone, though authorities are continuing to verify this claim.
The UAE probe further detailed that al-Hammami’s radicalization began around 2017 while he was studying in Australia, where he was influenced by extremist literature and online content. Before joining Flydubai in January 2026, he had worked for Oman Air between 2020 and 2024 and completed a training period with Royal Air Maroc in 2025. Reports indicate that Oman Air had previously moved him from flight training to a different role due to concerns regarding his views.
Flydubai’s recruitment processes have come under scrutiny following the revelation. However, Attorney General Al Shamsi stated that al-Hammami had met all necessary security and professional requirements, including holding a valid pilot's license and a certificate of good conduct. The official noted that no evidence of extremist inclinations was detected during the airline’s hiring procedures.
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