On Wednesday, a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was disrupted when the co‑pilot, Hamam al‑Hammami, attacked the captain with a crash axe, repeatedly stabbing him. The incident occurred on flight FZ1073 after take‑off from Dubai and involved 174 passengers and crew. UAE prosecutors described the act as a planned terrorist attack and investigations are underway.
Al‑Hammami is an Omani national born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother. He was banned from flying by Oman last year after concerns that he held radical ideological views. Despite the ban, he was hired by FlyDubai and was still employed when the attack occurred. He had also been removed from a previous position with Oman’s national airline after similar concerns were raised.
The co‑pilot completed a distance‑learning course in aviation management at Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom. A university spokesperson confirmed that he did not receive any pilot training there. Buckinghamshire New University’s licence to sponsor international students was suspended by the Home Office due to historic recruitment issues, though existing students may continue to study during the review.
Israel’s former national security adviser, Eyal Hulata, said the incident will likely change security practices. He noted that crew members will be subject to heavier screening in the future.
