UAE prosecutor says Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport

Suspect details and timeline

The suspect is a 29-year-old national of Oman named Hamam al-Hammami. He had worked for other airlines including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai in January 2026. Investigators found he used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to learn the route before the incident on September 30.

Attack method and outcome

Al-Hammami attacked the captain with an emergency axe while trying to seize control of the aircraft. The plane plunged 16,000 feet in thirty seconds before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Passengers on board were mostly Israeli citizens who helped overpower the suspect after his colleague opened the cockpit door.

Motivation and inspiration

Prosecutors believe the plot was inspired by the September 11 attacks on the United States. The suspect reportedly began radicalising himself while studying in Australia through reading extremist literature and online content. He admitted to authorities that his goal was causing the greatest possible loss of life.