Warning Signs Ignored: How Terrorist Pilot Reached Flight to Israel

New details from the investigation into the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight to Israel reveal significant questions about how pilot Al-Hamami managed to reach the cockpit. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Oman Air had previously identified signs of radicalization in Al-Hamami, removing him from pilot duties and assigning him to an office role. Despite this, he was not fired and his flight license was not revoked. Al-Hamami was later hired by Flydubai, where he underwent background checks before starting his employment. While these checks included a criminal record review, the company did not contact Oman Air to inquire about his past or investigate his ideological background. This allowed him to reach the cockpit of a flight bound for Israel, despite his prior removal from flight duties. Reuters reported that Al-Hamami's plan to attack a flight to Israel predated his joining Flydubai. He stated, "I searched and checked which company flies to Tel Aviv, and that's why I chose Flydubai. I tried to get accepted by all companies. I planned the operation even before I was accepted by the company." He had reportedly planned a similar operation on a previous flight to Tel Aviv but did not carry it out. The recent hijacking attempt occurred while Al-Hamami was serving as co-pilot on the Flydubai flight to Israel. The investigation following the incident has raised concerns about the information that existed regarding Al-Hamami prior to his hiring and why this information did not prevent him from continuing to fly and reaching a sensitive route to Israel.