New Details Emerge on Fly Dubai Security Failures Amid Investigations

New details have surfaced regarding security lapses related to the Fly Dubai incident, where an Omani pilot, Haitham al-Hamaimi, attempted to crash the aircraft. It has been revealed that the Security Department of the Ministry of Transport only requested immediate access to passenger nationality data for flight crews after a classified Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting held on Tuesday. This request came three years after the Ministry of Transport had been repeatedly urged by the Tax Authority to obtain this information, even before the attempted attack.

The system, known as MALAN (National Passenger Diagnosis Center), informed the Ministry that it cannot technically provide nationality data for aircrews 48 hours in advance, as required by law. The information is only updated just before takeoff, rendering it useless for security purposes at that stage. The Ministry of Transport complained about this operational procedure, but it was clarified that the current method of providing crew information close to departure was established with the Ministry's own approval and knowledge.

In a parallel development, the National Bureau for the Fight Against Crime (Lahav 433) has opened an investigation into allegations that senior officials in the Ministry of Transport, responsible for aviation security and vetting pilots landing in Israel, may have worked for foreign airlines, including Fly Dubai. The investigation focuses on Avraham (Avri) Cohen, head of the Security Department, and Dvir Rubinstein, director of the Aviation Security Operations Center. This probe was initiated following complaints from within the Ministry to the police, with the National Fraud Unit investigating potential conflicts of interest among employees concerning foreign airline operations in Israel.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the pilot-terrorist al-Hamaimi continues. Saudi Arabia is conducting its own inquiry into the security incident, alongside a criminal investigation by the UAE, which includes the Shin Bet. Ofer Vakinin, director of the Aviation Safety Investigation Authority at the Ministry of Transport, stated that Israel offered to participate in any safety investigation led by Saudi Arabia but has not yet been invited. Investigations are also underway in Australia and New Zealand concerning the periods the pilot spent in those countries.

"Yes!" party commented that the ongoing revelations highlight the depth of the failure, which could have led to a major disaster if not for the bravery of civilians. They criticized the government for a lack of accountability and for gambling with citizens' safety, raising questions about political appointments and the weakening of public service. MK Efrat Reiten also noted the serious allegations, stating, "There is a real suspicion of criminal activity here, and this is precisely why we approached the Attorney General following the severe failure. It is advisable that an investigation be opened into the matter as soon as possible."