UAE security agencies have revealed fresh details in the case of an alleged attempt to hijack a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and cause a crash. The suspect has been identified as Omani national Hammam Al Hammami, who was serving as a co-pilot.
According to investigators, Al Hammami’s extremist leanings began in 2017, when he was studying in Australia and was allegedly radicalised and drawn towards terrorist groups.
The inquiry further claims he had planned an attack targeting Israel’s Tel Aviv airport, with an intent compared by officials to the 2001 twin-tower attacks in the United States. Authorities say he had carried out multi-stage preparations to execute the plan.
As part of those preparations, investigators allege he travelled twice on routes to Tel Aviv to closely study flight paths and airport security procedures. The attempt to carry out the attack on September 30 was thwarted after the pilot, identified as Smidt Machar, acted swiftly, leading to the suspect being caught.
UAE authorities continue to question the co-pilot as the investigation proceeds.
