The co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight, suspected of attacking the captain on a flight to Israel, had been previously prevented from flying in Oman due to fears of extremist ideologies, sources reported on Friday. ABC News and the New York Post identified the individual as Hamam Al Hammami, 29, from Oman. Senior intelligence and law enforcement officials revealed to ABC that he was earlier barred from Oman Air as a “security risk.” According to a source familiar with the matter, Al Hammami was not allowed to fly in Oman because of worries over extremist viewpoints before being employed by a UAE-based airline. This source spoke under anonymity as the investigation into the cockpit incident is still underway, causing renewed scrutiny over aviation security in the region.
Questions About Vetting
Authorities are examining the procedures that allowed the suspect to become a co-pilot for FlyDubai, and how he was assigned as a first officer on a flight destined for Israel, as reported by ABC News. In 2024, while training with Oman Air, the suspect was alleged to be in possession of extremist content, which led to his reassignment to an administrative role, according to the media outlet. Newsweek has not verified these statements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the co-pilot was subject to “Islamist radicalization,” although he has not provided evidence for this claim. Netanyahu stated, “We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” in a video message released on Friday.
Investigation Continues
The incident took place on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight had to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew members reportedly assisted in subduing the attacker. Captain Smit Machchhar, who sustained injuries during the attack and is now regarded as a hero of the flight, was moved from Saudi Arabia to the UAE on Thursday. Currently, he is recuperating in an Abu Dhabi hospital and shared his ordeal in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Reports indicate that Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door during the altercation, allowing passengers to step in and detain the attacker. As the Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, rapidly descended, many of whom were Israelis, passengers took control of the situation by forcing the co-pilot out of the cockpit and binding him with headphone cables. The injured pilot was placed near the confined co-pilot while a dentist provided medical assistance to his injuries. Despite the chaos, no weapon was visible at the plane’s front, as confirmed by Daniel Schlichter and Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist who offered aid. “I had so many wounds. I had fallen down,” Machchhar recounted emotionally with tears, his head wrapped in bandages. “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.” The co-pilot has since been transferred to the UAE, where he is cooperating with authorities. Sources briefed on the investigation told ABC News that the suspect had planned to crash the aircraft in Israel, an allegation yet to be independently verified by Newsweek.
Travel Disruptions
The attack has caused significant disruption in travel between Israel and the UAE. Following this incident, Emirates flights to Israel were canceled, leading to efforts to bring back stranded passengers. To address the situation, Israeli and UAE officials sanctioned special flights to shuttle passengers between the two nations while regular flights are on hold. This route has emerged as a key representative of the regional normalization following the 2020 Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE.
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