Two More FlyDubai Pilots Arrested in UAE Over Alleged Terror Plot
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Authorities in the UAE arrested two more FlyDubai pilots, both Maldivian citizens, in connection with a foiled terror attempt on a flight to Israel. The arrests on October 3 are part of an ongoing investigation into an incident on September 30, 2026. Flydubai has suspended flights to Israel and is seeking approval to resume service after an internal security review led to dismissals. Israel has not yet granted permission, citing serious violations and viewing the incident as a diplomatic issue.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two additional FlyDubai pilots from the Maldives were arrested in the UAE on October 3.
- The arrests are linked to a foiled terror attempt on a flight to Israel on September 30, 2026.
- The Maldivian diplomatic mission in the UAE notified the families of the detained pilots.
- Flydubai suspended flights to Israel and is seeking approval to resume service.
- Israeli authorities have not yet granted permission, citing security violations and diplomatic concerns.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested two additional FlyDubai first officers in connection with an alleged terror attempt on a flight to Israel. The arrests, which occurred on October 3, bring the total number of Maldivian nationals detained in the case to at least six. The Maldivian diplomatic mission in the UAE has officially notified the families of the arrested pilots.
According to local media reports, the two newly detained pilots were hired by FlyDubai relatively recently and were among the last of six Maldivian citizens employed by the airline to join the company. Investigators have established that the suspects knew the main figure in the case, Hamam al-Hammami, personally, and that all of them resided in the same building. The arrested individuals had previously flown commercial routes to Israel, but their names and the specific charges against them have not been disclosed.
The incident is linked to a thwarted hijacking attempt on a flight bound for Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. Following the event, Flydubai announced it would suspend flights to Israel until the end of October, a decision communicated to travel agencies on October 11. The airline conducted an internal security review, identifying "violations and shortcomings" in its existing security system, which led to the dismissal of several security personnel.
Flydubai has requested permission from Israel's Ministry of Transport to resume flights, but Minister Miri Regev and the Civil Aviation Authority have not yet granted approval. Israeli authorities believe Flydubai committed "serious and conscious violations" of international air transport regulations. Given that the airline is partially state-owned, Israel views the matter as an issue of interstate relations, not just a problem with the airline. Israel intends to obtain detailed information from Flydubai regarding the incident before determining further security requirements.
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