UAE prosecutors say Flydubai co‑pilot plotted suicide attack on Ben Gurion airport

The 29‑year‑old Omani co‑pilot attacked the captain with an axe, was overpowered by passengers and the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia, prosecutors said.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:34:40 GMT

UAE attorney‑general Hamad Saif al‑Shamsi said the Omani co‑pilot on Flydubai flight FZ1073 intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion airport’s passenger terminal in a suicide attack, according to statements made on Friday.

What happened

On 30 September 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. Mid‑flight, the co‑pilot, identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, attacked the captain with a crash axe, stabbing him and attempting to open the cockpit security door. Passengers intervened, subduing the assailant, and an off‑duty relief pilot among the roughly 180 passengers helped regain control. The aircraft descended about 16,000 feet in 30 seconds before two other pilots took over and diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

What the reports add

The Guardian reported that al‑Hammami admitted to a “premeditated terrorist plot” to launch a suicide attack on Ben Gurion airport, aiming for maximum casualties. It added that his radicalisation began while studying in Australia, where he was exposed to hard‑line takfiri ideology.

The Independent noted that prosecutors found the suspect had used two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and the airport, and that the plot was inspired by the 9/11 attacks. It also mentioned that the UAE public news agency WAM said the investigation traced signs of extremism back to 2017.

What was said

UAE attorney‑general Hamad Saif al‑Shamsi told the press that al‑Hammami “tried to execute a premeditated terrorist plot to launch a suicide attack targeting the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion airport”. The Guardian quoted al‑Shamsi as saying the co‑pilot had admitted this plan.

The Independent reported that al‑Shamsi said investigators believed the co‑pilot had told them about his intent, though the exact wording was not released.

How it came about

Earlier coverage by Felo News identified the co‑pilot as an Omani national and detailed the in‑flight axe attack (flydubai‑cockpit‑axe‑attack‑omanian‑co‑pilot). Subsequent articles explained why Flydubai carries extra pilots on long routes (flydubai‑extra‑pilots) and confirmed the suspect held only an Omani passport (omani‑co‑pilot‑only‑omani‑passport). The present statements add the alleged suicide‑attack motive and a longer history of radicalisation.

Key facts

UAE attorney‑general says the Omani co‑pilot planned a suicide attack on Ben Gurion airport (theguardian.com)
The co‑pilot attacked the captain with an axe on Flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 Sept 2026 (independent.co.uk)
Passengers and an off‑duty pilot helped regain control and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia (independent.co.uk)
Prosecutors say the suspect began radicalising while studying in Australia, with influences dating back to 2017 (theguardian.com)