FlyDubai Co-Pilot Arrested After Alleged Hijacking Attempt Over Saudi Airspace

An Omani co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was arrested after allegedly attempting to seize control of the aircraft on September 30, 2026. Hamam al-Hammami, 29, attacked the flight's captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency crash axe approximately two hours and twenty minutes after takeoff while the plane was flying over Saudi airspace. The captain, despite sustaining injuries, unlocked the cockpit security door to allow passengers to overpower Hammami. A reserve pilot aboard the flight then took control and landed the aircraft at a regional airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities detained the suspect.

According to Israeli officials and sources, al-Hammami likely intended to target Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Israeli media reported statements attributed to Hammami during interrogation suggesting this objective, though investigators also note uncertainty about specific intentions. The flight carried more than 180 passengers, almost all Israeli, and crew members. Upon detection of the potential hijacking, Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure.

Investigators across at least six countries—including the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand—are examining al-Hammami's background and determining whether he acted alone. Evidence suggests al-Hammami may have originally planned the attack for July but postponed it, possibly because a friend was among the crew. Experts believe he may have deliberately sought employment with an airline operating flights to Israel to carry out the attack. Al-Hammami, who has an Omani father and Syrian mother, previously worked for Oman Air from 2018 until June 2025, when he was moved to a desk job due to concerns about extremist views. He subsequently worked briefly for Royal Air Maroc before joining state-owned FlyDubai.

Australian and New Zealand authorities are investigating al-Hammami's time in those countries approximately a decade ago. Records indicate he was granted an Australian student visa in 2014, arrived to begin a university course in 2015, and departed in 2017. His Australian visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled. Analysis of his social media accounts recovered by researchers revealed dozens of misogynistic posts with threats against women, homophobic slurs, and posts praising extremist figures including al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The United Arab Emirates is leading the formal investigation into the hijacking attempt to establish how al-Hammami circumvented security protocols in both the UAE and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed al-Hammami had undergone "radical Islamist indoctrination," though he provided no supporting details. The UAE Attorney General classified the incident as a "terrorist act." Questions remain regarding vetting procedures for flight crew; Israel's Ministry of Transport stated that its security procedures do not include background checks on pilot names, though crew members must hold valid travel visas.