UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Ben Gurion Airport Attack
The UAE attorney general said a Flydubai co-pilot planned to seize a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight on September 30 and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal. The captain and others subdued him before the plan could be carried out.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
Event date: The attempted takeover occurred on September 30, according to the UAE attorney general’s statement. [1]
What happened
The UAE attorney general said Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked the captain with an emergency axe during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Authorities said he intended to seize the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Flydubai Attacker Planned 9/11 -Style Suicide Attack on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, UAE Confirmslegalinsurrection.com · Article published: Oct 10, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
- UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC
According to the UAE investigation, the suspect had used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and airport. The attorney general characterized the alleged plan as premeditated and said it was inspired by the September 11 attacks. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- Flydubai Attacker Planned 9/11 -Style Suicide Attack on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, UAE Confirmslegalinsurrection.com · Article published: Oct 10, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
- UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC
An off-duty captain aboard the flight noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly. He entered using the access code and, with help from a flight attendant and Israeli passengers, reached the injured captain and helped subdue the co-pilot. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC
The UAE attorney general said the intervention prevented the aircraft from being used in the planned attack. The excerpts do not establish the number of passengers affected, the captain’s injuries, or the legal status and eventual sentence of the suspect. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC
The investigation also said the suspect had passed Flydubai’s professional and security screening, including holding a pilot’s licence and having no criminal record. Those findings identify a screening gap alleged by the UAE authorities, but do not establish that the airline violated a specific rule. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.com · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 10:46 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The UAE attorney general said signs of the suspect’s radicalization first appeared in 2017 while he was studying in Melbourne, Australia; the statement linked that history to the investigation’s account of his preparation. [2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Flydubai Attacker Planned 9/11 -Style Suicide Attack on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, UAE Confirmslegalinsurrection.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2
- [2] UAE CONFIRMS: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Crash Plane At Ben Guriontheyeshivaworld.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4, detail 5
Questions answered by the reporting
How was the attempted takeover stopped?
An off-duty captain, a flight attendant and Israeli passengers helped reach the injured captain and subdue the co-pilot after noticing unusual cockpit-door activity. [2]
What this could mean for you
Potentially tighter cockpit-access controls or crew screening on some flights
The alleged plot involved a co-pilot using cockpit access and an emergency axe to attack the captain
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Airlines or regulators would need to introduce or expand measures in response
Greater concern about insider threats in commercial aviation
The UAE investigation said the suspect held a pilot’s licence and passed stated professional and security checks
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Further official findings or confirmed screening changes would be needed for a broader operational effect
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
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What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Further official findings could identify additional gaps in crew screening or cockpit protection.
A confirmed recurrence involving crew access could increase the pressure for wider aviation-security changes.
Pressure eases if…
Clear legal findings and documented corrective measures by the airline or regulators would reduce uncertainty.
Evidence that existing cockpit-access protections reliably prevent similar attempts would limit the operational implications.
Still unclear
The excerpts do not establish whether Flydubai or aviation regulators have announced new security measures.
The suspect’s current custody, charges and court proceedings are not stated.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
UAE Attorney General: It was a “premeditated terrorist plot to … launch a suicide attack targeting the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion airport.” The axe-wielding…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
The UAE’s attorney general confirmed that the Omani co-pilot who attacked the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel planned to seize control of…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.