Flydubai Pilot Planned 9/11-Style Attack on Ben-Gurion Airport

A Flydubai co-pilot, who attacked the captain on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, planned to hijack the passenger plane and crash it into a terminal at Ben-Gurion Airport, aiming to kill as many people as possible. The 29-year-old Omani national confessed to investigators that he was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks and had studied the flight route in preparation. He detailed his motives and the events of the flight to investigators in the UAE with his lawyer present.

According to the UAE Public Prosecution, the man's radicalization began in 2017 while he was studying in Australia, where he became interested in extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist organizations. He told investigators that the 9/11 attacks motivated him to become a pilot to carry out a similar attack. He progressed in his aviation career, working for Oman Air, training with Royal Air Maroc in early 2025, and joining Flydubai in January 2026. The airline stated he met all professional and security requirements, and no signs of radicalization were detected during hiring.

However, reports indicate that Omani authorities identified the pilot's extremist views two years prior, in 2024. He was reportedly flagged as unreliable, removed from flight duties, and placed in a deradicalization program and a ministry position. Crucially, this information was not shared with other countries. Flydubai conducted a criminal background check but did not inquire about his professional history with Omani authorities. Royal Air Maroc, where he underwent theoretical training, confirmed they later refused to employ him.

The suspect not only prepared psychologically but also physically, increasing his consumption of extremist material and training in boxing. He used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and Ben-Gurion Airport's specifics for his planned attack. On September 30, during his third flight to Tel Aviv, he attacked the captain in the cockpit with an emergency axe, causing severe head injuries. The captain resisted and called for help.

Another Flydubai pilot, who was near the cockpit and scheduled for the return flight, noticed the cockpit door repeatedly opening and closing. Suspecting an issue, he entered the cockpit using his access code and intervened. With the help of a crew member and passengers, they subdued the attacker, aided the injured captain, and took control of the aircraft. They diverted the plane and made a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Medical reports confirmed the captain's injuries were consistent with axe blows and potentially fatal. Investigators are continuing to examine flight data and evidence, and while the suspect claims he acted alone, authorities are verifying this and investigating potential accomplices.