Omani co‑pilot rehearsed Tel Aviv attack on two prior flights, UAE says

The co‑pilot used two earlier trips to study the route before attacking the captain on Sep 30, aiming to crash into Ben Gurion Airport.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:33:14 GMT

The United Arab Emirates’ public prosecutor said the Omani flydubai co‑pilot rehearsed his plan to crash a plane into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on two prior Dubai‑Tel Aviv flights before the Sep 30 attack.

What happened

On 30 Sept 2026, flydubai Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. The 29‑year‑old Omani co‑pilot, Hamam al‑Hammami, attacked the captain with a crash axe, intending to seize control and steer the aircraft into the passenger terminal. Passengers, a second pilot and cabin crew subdued him, and the plane descended more than 4,000 m in under 30 seconds before stabilising and diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight carried 174 passengers, most of them Israeli.

What the reports add

Both the Sydney Morning Herald and The Independent cite the UAE state news agency WAM for the latest details. The SMH notes that the co‑pilot told authorities he acted alone and that he had taken two earlier trips to “familiarise himself with the route and the airport.” The Independent adds that the prosecutor’s statement said the co‑pilot “drew inspiration” from the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and that he provided a written confession outlining his motives and planning stages.

What was said

UAE Attorney‑General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, quoted by WAM, said the co‑pilot acted alone and was motivated by extremist views. The top prosecutor, also quoted by WAM, said the attack was intended “to cause the greatest possible number of human casualties.” The co‑pilot, identified by the Associated Press as Hamam al‑Hammami, admitted in a statement to acting without accomplices.

How it came about

Felo News first reported the incident on 3 Oct 2026, identifying the suspect as Hamam al‑Hammami and describing the diversion to Tabuk (flydubai‑cockpit‑axe‑attack‑omanian‑co‑pilot). Subsequent coverage explained the airline’s practice of adding extra pilots on long routes (flydubai‑extra‑pilots) and the suspension of Emirates’ codeshare with flydubai to Tel Aviv (emirates‑flydubai‑tel‑aviv‑suspension). The latest update adds the rehearsals on two prior flights and the 9/11 inspiration claim.

Key facts

The Omani co‑pilot Hamam al‑Hammami rehearsed his plot on two earlier Dubai‑Tel Aviv flights. (smh.com.au)
He intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport to cause maximum casualties. (independent.co.uk)
He acted alone and cited inspiration from the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. (independent.co.uk)
The attack occurred on 30 Sept 2026 on flydubai Flight FZ1073 carrying 174 passengers, most Israeli. (smh.com.au)
Passengers and crew subdued the attacker and the plane diverted safely to Tabuk. (smh.com.au)