Omani Pilot Suspected of Prior Flights to Israel

There is a possibility that Omani pilot Hamam Al-Hamami, who attempted to crash a Flydubai aircraft on September 30, had previously flown to Israel. Israeli sources initially denied this but are now investigating the suspicion that the pilot had indeed flown to Israel before. The Ministry of Transport has not ruled out Al-Hamami having operated flights to Israel but stated they lack precise information.

If confirmed, this incident highlights a significant security lapse by both Israeli and Emirati intelligence agencies. The attempted crash was thwarted by the actions of Indian commander Smith Machchhar and Israeli passengers who subdued the attacker. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Al-Hamami exploited a security "gap," as an Omani citizen with no official ties to Israel was permitted to pilot a plane bound for the country.

U.S. media reports indicate that Oman Air suspended Al-Hamami in 2024 due to radical religious views and possession of "extremist materials," leading to his reassignment from pilot to administrative duties. It remains unclear if Flydubai was aware of this information before hiring him in early 2026. Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc confirmed Al-Hamami underwent three months of training with them but was not hired. This means one airline in a Muslim country grounded him for extremism, and another refused to hire him, all without Israel's knowledge.

A source familiar with the details told Ynet that both the UAE and Israel experienced security failures, emphasizing the need for internal reviews. The new information raises questions about how airlines share data on potentially threatening employees, with journalist Itamar Eichner questioning why other carriers weren't alerted after Al-Hamami's suspension in Oman and why a universal "blacklist" of pilots doesn't exist.

Israeli security agencies are reportedly deflecting responsibility, with the Shin Bet stating its purview is limited to Israeli airlines. This leaves a gap in protecting Israelis flying on foreign carriers. A 2023 law requires airlines to provide passenger and crew data to Israel, intended for security checks, but it's unclear if this data was used to vet pilots. Eichner suggests a review of security measures for all flights to Israel, including foreign airlines, and argues Israeli security services must ensure the safety of all Israelis arriving in the country, regardless of the airline.

CNN reported on October 3 that Al-Hamami was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother, and that he had radicalized during stays in Syria, where his mother is from. Omani authorities were reportedly aware of his extremist views and travels. His LinkedIn profile indicated seven years at Oman Air until February 2025, followed by a brief stint at Royal Air Maroc starting June 2025, though the airline disputes hiring him. His Flydubai employment was not listed. Two posts on his LinkedIn account, published nine hours after the attack attempt on September 30, likely scheduled in advance, featured videos of Boeing 737 MAX cockpits, including views of El Al and Arkia aircraft, and concluded with a photo of the former Al-Qaeda leader.