Hijack pilot sought out airlines with Israel routes

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Hamam al-Hammami, a Flydubai pilot with a history of extremist views, allegedly planned to hijack Flight 1073 to Tel Aviv but ultimately did not carry out the attack. The case reveals significant shortcomings in intelligence sharing and security protocols, as warnings about al-Hammami were not effectively communicated, allowing him access to sensitive flight routes despite prior bans.

The first officer accused of attempting to hijack Flydubai Flight 1073 en route to Tel Aviv reportedly sought out airlines and routes serving Israel, according to individuals familiar with the investigation. Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national residing in Dubai who joined the budget carrier in February, is alleged to have planned an attack as early as July but ultimately refrained.

Al-Hammami, who studied in Melbourne, was previously barred from flying at Oman Air amid concerns about extremist views. He was also rejected for a position at Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai. Sources say he specifically requested assignment on the Dubai-Tel Aviv route to carry out his plan.

Investigators suggest the pilot’s motivation stemmed from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, citing his expressed sympathies related to recent hostilities. Wednesday marked the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and hundreds of hostages, sparking the current Gaza war.

Initially hailed for their bravery, passengers and crew on Flight 1073 have since become the focus of security reviews. Concerns have emerged over how al-Hammami was able to access the cockpit and nearly cause a crash. The details surfaced indicate a prolonged and deliberate fixation on Israel, involving a degree of advanced preparation.

Despite earlier warnings, authorities did not fully act to prevent al-Hammami from flying on sensitive routes. Omani officials had previously grounded him, placed him in a deradicalisation program, and reassigned him to a desk role after monitoring his online activity and identifying radical sympathies. However, these concerns were not widely communicated to other countries or airlines.

Flydubai provided Israel with the passenger and crew manifest in advance of the flight. Although Israel prohibits pilots from countries lacking official diplomatic ties—including Oman—al-Hammami was not removed from the roster. This oversight has raised questions about intelligence sharing and screening protocols.

The incident underscores gaps in the coordination among aviation authorities and security agencies, particularly concerning individuals flagged for extremist tendencies who still gain access to critical flight operations on sensitive international routes. Investigations continue as authorities seek to clarify how the breach occurred and what measures can prevent similar threats in the future.

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.