Background of Suspect

The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a FlyDubai flight on its way to Israel was previously barred from flying in Oman. Reports released on Friday by ABC News and the New York Post identify the alleged attacker as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national. He had been suspended from flying by Oman Air after being deemed a “security risk.” Concerns about his extremist views had earlier led to him being prohibited from flying in Oman. However, he was later hired by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based airline.

Investigation Into Vetting Practices

Officials are investigating how the suspect was allowed to fly for FlyDubai and serve as first officer on a flight destined for Israel. ABC News reports that during his training as a co-pilot for Oman Air in 2024, Hammami was allegedly found with extremist materials, leading to his shift to an administrative role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the co-pilot’s actions as part of “Islamist radicalization,” though no evidence has been presented to support this claim. Netanyahu stated, “We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.”

Sequence of Events During Flight

The attack happened on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight was diverted and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot’s assault on the captain. The captain, Smit Machchhar, is praised as a hero. He was transferred along with the co-pilot from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. Machchhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital and recounted the terrifying experience in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reports indicate that Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene. The 174 passengers and eight crew members, primarily Israelis, worked to restrain the attacker.

Passengers used headphones to bind the co-pilot’s hands after wrestling him onto the floor of the main cabin. Machchhar, although injured, was laid next to Hammami, while receiving attention for his wounds from several passengers, including a dentist. Machchhar expressed the dire situation he faced, acknowledging the risk to passengers’ lives if he didn’t act.

Ongoing Investigation

The suspect, now transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE, is cooperating with investigators. According to a report from ABC News, the co-pilot indicated that his intent was to crash the aircraft in Israel. This allegation has not been verified independently by Newsweek.

Travel and Diplomatic Impact

Following the incident, there have been disruptions in travel between Israel and the UAE. Emirates flights to Israel were canceled, which led to repatriation efforts for stranded travelers. Both Israel and the UAE agreed on special flights to facilitate passenger movement while commercial operations remain suspended. This flight route has been a key symbol of regional normalization since the Abraham Accords were established between Israel and the UAE in 2020.