UAE Declares FlyDubai Flight Attack Act of Terrorism

The United Arab Emirates officially classified the attack aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv as an attempted terrorist act on October 3. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi stated that the co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe found in the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Previously, it was reported that the co-pilot attempted to damage the aircraft's control system to cause a crash.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen, was reportedly previously suspended from flying in Oman due to concerns over extremist views. He was then transferred to administrative work by Oman Air before joining FlyDubai. Investigations are ongoing into how he passed security checks to become a co-pilot on flights to Israel. Sources suggest that while al-Hammami underwent a standard security check at FlyDubai, it primarily focused on criminal records rather than a deeper examination for signs of radicalization. It remains unclear if Omani authorities or Oman Air shared their suspicions with the UAE.

FlyDubai stated it cannot comment on details until the investigation is complete, acknowledging the incident raises many questions. Omani authorities and Oman Air have not yet commented publicly. Al-Hammami, born in the UAE, held Omani citizenship through his father and has a Syrian mother. He reportedly visited Syria some time ago, but the purpose and timing are unknown. He also underwent a theoretical course with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 but was not hired, and studied aviation management remotely at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, which confirmed he did not receive flight training there.

Investigators are examining al-Hammami's digital devices, contacts, and past travel to determine if the attack was premeditated and if he had accomplices. Security services from Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with assistance from the US and other Western nations, are working to establish his motives. Currently, no link to any terrorist organization has been found, suggesting the actions of a lone attacker. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described al-Hammami as having undergone "Islamist radicalization," though no evidence linking the attack to Iran or other states has been presented.

The incident occurred on September 30 when the plane was over the Jordanian-Saudi border. The aircraft experienced a sharp descent, with the crew transmitting emergency codes indicating an unlawful interference. The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, but sustained damage. The captain, Smith Machchar, an Indian citizen, managed to unlock the cockpit door despite severe injuries, allowing passengers and off-duty crew to subdue the attacker. Off-duty pilots on board then stabilized the aircraft and landed it. Captain Machchar recounted to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the co-pilot asked to pray before attacking him. Four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Manes, Assaf Razuvan, and Dr. Shota Musaev, played crucial roles in subduing al-Hammami and providing first aid to the injured captain. Tali Manes, wife of Tzvika Manes, was credited with first raising the alarm. President Isaac Herzog announced his intention to award the Israeli passengers for their bravery, stating their actions prevented a major catastrophe.