An attempted attack by a co-pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on October 1 has raised significant concerns about aviation security and vetting procedures within the Middle East’s airline industry. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly attacked the captain with a cockpit crash ax in an effort to seize control of the aircraft carrying 182 passengers. The incident ended with passengers and crew intervening to subdue al-Hammami before the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
According to officials leading the investigation in the United Arab Emirates, which owns Flydubai, al-Hammami’s use of the crash ax—a tool usually kept in the cockpit for emergencies—was described as a “terrorist act.” The attack caused the flight to lose approximately 17,000 feet in a matter of minutes, damaging part of the rudder, yet the plane was safely brought to ground with the help of onboard crew and reserve pilots. Passengers, most of whom were Israeli, were later flown to Israel on a separate aircraft.
Reports indicate that al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying for Oman Air due to concerns over extremist views. He was reassigned to administrative duties before eventually leaving the airline. Oman’s government has not publicly commented on the incident. Following his departure, al-Hammami underwent a theoretical training period with Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc in 2025 but was not offered employment. The co-pilot was later employed by Flydubai, though the extent of his background checks remains unclear. Sources familiar with the investigation noted that security vetting primarily focused on criminal convictions rather than in-depth screening for radicalization.
Al-Hammami was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother. He held Omani nationality through his father and reportedly traveled to Syria, though details about these trips have not been disclosed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the attacker as having undergone “Islamist radicalization” but did not provide evidence to support this claim. Various Western and regional security agencies, including those from the United States, are collaborating on the ongoing investigation to determine whether al-Hammami acted alone.
The incident has prompted scrutiny of airline and security protocols, especially regarding flights to Israel from countries without formal diplomatic relations. Israel reportedly requires foreign carriers to exclude pilots from nations lacking ties with Israel, and questions have been raised about how al-Hammami was permitted to serve on this route. Israeli officials have suggested assigning clearer responsibility for vetting foreign crew members and indicated that current measures may be insufficient.
Social media activity linked to al-Hammami prior to and after the attack also drew attention. Posts containing Islamist imagery and references to extremist figures appeared on accounts believed to be his but were deleted following the incident. Israeli intelligence is investigating whether these posts were scheduled or posted by others.
The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions, occurring close to the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel that escalated the Gaza conflict, and ahead of a contested Israeli election where national security is a significant concern. The UAE has suspended all flights to Israel since the incident but arranged repatriation flights for stranded passengers. Israeli and Emirati authorities continue to work together on the investigation, though some Israeli officials have voiced frustration about perceived security lapses. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and investigators have yet to establish definitive links between al-Hammami and extremist organizations.