UAE Expands Probe Into Flydubai Hijacking Attempt, Arrests Two Pilots
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
UAE authorities have arrested two Maldivian pilots as part of an expanded investigation into a Flydubai flight hijacking attempt. The co-pilot, Haitham Al-Haimi, attacked the captain on September 30th, but the captain managed an emergency landing, saving 174 people. The co-pilot allegedly planned a suicide attack inspired by 9/11. The arrested pilots reportedly knew the hijacker and shared shifts, but their exact involvement is unconfirmed.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- UAE police arrested two Maldivian pilots in connection with a Flydubai flight hijacking attempt.
- The co-pilot, Haitham Al-Haimi, attacked the captain with an axe on September 30th.
- The captain, Smit Machhar, prevented the hijacking and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- The co-pilot allegedly planned a suicide attack on Ben Gurion Airport, inspired by 9/11.
- The arrested pilots reportedly lived with and shared shifts with the alleged hijacker.
- Authorities are investigating the extent of the arrested pilots' involvement in the plot.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have expanded their investigation into a dramatic hijacking attempt of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month, arresting two additional pilots. The two arrested pilots are Maldivian nationals employed by the airline. According to reports in the Maldivian media and news agencies, they were detained by UAE police on October 3rd, and their families were informed via the local embassy.
The arrests follow a serious incident on September 30th in the airspace, where the Omani co-pilot, Haitham Al-Haimi, 29, attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machhar, with an emergency axe in the cockpit. The captain was severely injured but managed to prevent the hijacking and execute an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving the lives of the 174 passengers and crew.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi revealed that the Omani co-pilot had planned to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport's passenger terminal. Al-Shamsi stated that Al-Haimi was influenced by the 9/11 attacks and intended to carry out a "suicide attack." During his interrogation, Al-Haimi claimed he acted alone, but security officials are investigating whether he received prior assistance.
The two arrested pilots from the Maldives are relatively new hires at the company. Maldivian media reports indicate they lived in the same residential building as the Omani hijacker, shared flight shifts, and met him at social and work events. However, UAE authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the charges against them or their direct involvement in the plot.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Right 1Haredi 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
