Flydubai co-pilot took boxing lessons to prepare for hijack

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv attempted a suicide hijacking targeting Ben Gurion Airport but was overpowered by passengers and crew, allowing the plane to safely divert to Saudi Arabia. The attacker had been radicalized over several years without detection during security screenings, raising concerns about screening processes for aviation personnel.

An attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on September 30 was carried out by the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, who planned a suicide attack targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, according to statements made by the United Arab Emirates Attorney-General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi. The attack was foiled after passengers and crew intervened, and the plane was safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The investigation found that al-Hammami acted alone and had been radicalized over several years. He reportedly began consuming extremist literature and watching videos glorifying terrorism while studying in Melbourne, Australia, in 2017. During this period, he associated with an Islamic center called MyCentre, managed by preacher Samir Mohtadi, who has previously expressed controversial views regarding Israel and Western countries.

Al-Hammami admitted that his aspiration to become a pilot was partly motivated by the desire to execute an attack resembling the September 11 terror attacks, intending to inflict maximum casualties. He prepared for the attempt by taking private boxing lessons and intensifying his exposure to extremist material. Despite this, Flydubai and UAE authorities have stated he met all professional and security requirements during recruitment, and no indicators of his radicalization were detected during background checks. He also underwent three months of training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 but was not retained by the airline.

During the hijacking attempt, al-Hammami reportedly attacked the lead pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, with a cockpit crash axe. A flydubai captain scheduled to operate the return flight from Tel Aviv was aboard and gained access to the cockpit after noticing unusual activity. With the assistance of passengers and crew, they subdued al-Hammami, enabling the pilot to divert the plane safely.

Authorities emphasized that the suspect acted as a "lone-wolf" extremist, and the investigation remains ongoing. The UAE Public Prosecution has indicated that further findings will be shared as the case progresses. The attempted hijacking occurred during Sukkot, a Jewish festival, adding sensitivity to the incident given the chosen flight and target.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.