Flydubai Pilot Planned Months-Long Intelligence Gathering in Israel for Ben Gurion Airport Attack

New details from the investigation into Haitham Al-Hamaami, the Flydubai pilot who attempted to crash his plane, reveal he spent months gathering intelligence in Israel and planned to deliberately crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. Al-Hamaami visited Israel multiple times during his employment with Flydubai, using these trips to collect information and observe airport personnel.

His plan was to gain landing clearance at Ben Gurion Airport and then crash the plane into a building or another aircraft, a tactic intended to prevent interception. He reportedly intended to seize control of the plane over Jordan to ensure he received landing approvals before executing the attack. The plot was initially planned for July, but Al-Hamaami postponed it because he knew a crew member on that particular flight.

The attack was ultimately thwarted by the quick actions of the Indian pilot, Smitha Machhar, who managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to hear the commotion and preventing a potentially larger catastrophe. Israeli passengers and two other pilots on board also played a role in subduing the attacker.

Investigators in the United Arab Emirates are continuing to question Al-Hamaami, who admitted to dedicating his time in Israel during a June visit to reconnaissance. He had previously flown on a Flydubai flight with Israelis in July, intending to crash that plane within Israel, but again delayed the attack due to his acquaintance with a crew member. He eventually proceeded with the attempt on a later flight at the end of last month.