Flydubai Pilot Intended to Crash Plane at Ben Gurion Airport, Investigation Reveals

An investigation into Hamam al-Hamami, the pilot who attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight bound for Israel on September 30, has revealed he intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport. Sources indicate that al-Hamami delayed the hijacking until the plane was over Jordan to create the impression of a normal flight preparing for landing before diverting it into the airport, aiming for mass casualties. If he had failed to reach Ben Gurion, his plan was reportedly to crash the plane into a U.S. military base in Jordan.

The investigation also uncovered that al-Hamami had planned a terror attack for July of the same year but postponed it, sparing a crew member he was close to. He had visited Israel in June to prepare himself for martyrdom. Earlier reports suggested he intended to crash into Tel Aviv's Azrieli Towers.

The plot was thwarted by the resistance of the aircraft's captain, Smith Machhar, and other passengers. Al-Hamami stated during interrogation that he intended to use an emergency axe to incapacitate Machhar before taking control. He admitted to specifically seeking a company that flew to Tel Aviv, choosing Flydubai after applying to multiple airlines, and planning the operation before his employment.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged significant aviation security failures. He instructed the head of the National Security Council to appoint an inspector to thoroughly analyze security measures for foreign airlines flying to Israel. This directive aligns with recommendations from the State Comptroller made in May 2024, which warned of insufficient oversight of foreign airline crews arriving in Israel.