DUBAI — Two Maldivian flydubai co-pilots have reportedly been detained in the United Arab Emirates as investigators examine the attack on a passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026, according to Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu.

The men reportedly worked with Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the flight’s captain, Smit Machchhar.

Both men reportedly lived in the same building as al-Hammami and were among six Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai.

The detentions of the pilots were first reported in the Maldives on October 3, with a follow-up report on October 8 stating that the Maldivian embassy in the UAE had notified the men’s families.

Authorities have not publicly explained what the two pilots are suspected of doing or whether they had prior knowledge of the alleged attack.

UAE authorities have not officially confirmed the reported detentions.

The incident took place aboard flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE prosecutors say al-Hammami struck Machchhar with a crash axe.

Passengers and crew intervened, while two other pilots aboard the aircraft helped divert it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely after a rapid descent.

According to the Emirati attorney general, al-Hammami intended to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.

Prosecutors allege that he had taken two earlier flights to study the route and airport before the incident. They also cited his fascination with the September 11 attacks as a factor in his decision to pursue aviation.

Oman Air had removed al-Hammami from flying duties in 2024 after finding extremist material. UAE prosecutors nevertheless said he held the necessary pilot’s license, provided a certificate of good conduct and passed the required professional and security checks.

Prosecutors say al-Hammami confessed and became radicalized while living in Australia before deliberately seeking a cockpit position to carry out the attack.

On October 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot accused of trying to crash the Israel-bound plane had undergone Islamist radicalization.

The case has also drawn attention to the Maldives’ policy toward Israeli travelers. A ban on entry for Israeli passport holders took effect on April 15, 2025.

The restriction applies to ordinary Israeli travelers rather than specifically targeting Israeli officials responsible for government policy.

The Maldives is a Sunni Muslim nation where Islam is the state religion, and its legal system incorporates elements of Islamic law.

The Maldives has produced a disproportionately high number of Islamist foreign fighters relative to its population.

Estimates suggest that at least 300 Maldivians traveled to Iraq and Syria between 2013 and 2018 to fight for ISIS. In 2023, the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned 20 Maldivian citizens for ties to the Islamic State.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from adhadhu.com, Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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MUMBAI — India’s Bank of Baroda said on Wednesday it would defend its interests against a $15 billion lawsuit filed by UAE-based businessman and NMC Health founder B.R. Shetty against the lender and 25 other defendants in the Bombay High Court.

Shetty alleges that the bank and several current and former employees helped facilitate fraud that contributed to the collapse of the Middle Eastern healthcare group, according to a court filing reviewed by Reuters.

NMC Health, once the Gulf’s largest private healthcare provider, entered administration in 2020 after months of financial mismanagement. It disclosed debts of $6.6 billion, significantly above an earlier estimate of $2.1 billion.

In a stock exchange filing, Bank of Baroda said it had not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment on allegations that had not been tested in court.

It said it would firmly defend the case and take all necessary steps to protect its interests if formally served.

The bank added that it was pursuing recovery and enforcement proceedings in India and the United Arab Emirates against Shetty over outstanding dues of 28 billion rupees ($294.57 million). It said it had obtained several decrees against him.

Bank of Baroda said it would face no immediate liability unless a court order required payment or it became necessary to make a provision for potential damages.

The bank’s shares fell 2.6% on Tuesday after news of the lawsuit emerged and were down another 2.6% at 231.4 rupees on Wednesday.

The lawsuit focuses on the bank’s lending to NMC Health and affiliated entities in the UAE.

It follows a settlement reached three months ago in which Bank of Baroda agreed to pay $600 million to resolve claims brought by NMC administrators.

Shetty alleges that bank officials facilitated round-tripping transactions, disregarded repeated anti-money laundering warnings and accepted documents with forged signatures.

According to the court filing, he is seeking $5 billion in direct damages, $5 billion in consequential damages and another $5 billion for reputational harm.

(With files from Reuters)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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DUBAI,— Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight that nearly crashed last month on its way to Tel Aviv are preparing to file a lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars, Calcalist reported.

The group intends to sue the airline, the State of Israel, and other parties connected to the flight.

The flight, numbered FZ1073, traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying 174 people, most of them Israeli citizens, Israeli officials said.

The incident began when the co-pilot stabbed the captain, sending the aircraft plunging nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.

Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot, allowing a second Flydubai pilot team on board to bring the plane down safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

More than 10 hours later, passengers arrived at Ben Gurion Airport aboard a replacement Flydubai aircraft.

Roughly 100 of the 174 passengers have authorized a steering committee to pursue compensation on their behalf. The committee will work with authorities and oversee the legal process.

Tzvika Manes, chief executive of underwriting firm Barak Leumi, who helped hold down the co-pilot during the attack, was selected to lead the committee. Joining him are Singapore-based lawyer Tal Eisenberg and passengers Daniel Schlichter, Itay Perlman, and Shir Maor.

The committee has held meetings with law firms in Israel and plans to meet international firms before choosing legal representation. The remaining passengers have not yet decided whether to join the group or pursue separate claims.

Once the lawyer meetings conclude, the committee intends to present initial findings and recommendations to passengers before deciding on next steps.

Potential defendants include Israel’s Ministry of Transportation and possibly its counterpart in the United Arab Emirates. Transportation ministries in other nations may also face claims, since several passengers hold foreign citizenship.

The push for legal action began in a WhatsApp group that passengers created immediately after landing at Ben Gurion Airport.

About 70 members of that group asked Manes and one or two others to take charge. Manes, a senior figure in capital markets, has connections to legal professionals who could aid the case.

One challenge facing the lawsuit is that the episode has no clear precedent. Passengers are examining what they describe as an attempted hijacking, which began with a physical struggle between the two pilots before the plane dove toward the ground.

The co-pilot is accused of launching the assault. A preliminary review conducted with law firms found that a section of the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE sets rules governing flights between the two nations.

Passengers now want to know whether the flight complied with those terms.

The UAE’s attorney general said Friday that the co-pilot, an Omani national, meant to hijack the flight on September 30, 2026, and crash it deliberately into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.

The UAE’s attorney general said the plan was a suicide mission that a fellow pilot managed to stop.

A UAE prosecutors’ inquiry opened October 1 concluded the plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

Investigators said the Omani co-pilot struck the Indian captain with an emergency crash axe while the plane was in the air.

The suspect had taken two earlier trips to Tel Aviv to study the flight route and the airport’s layout.

Officials said the man had worked at several carriers, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, before joining Flydubai in January 2026.

The UAE prosecutor general had earlier called the episode a terrorist attack. On October 5, the co-pilot told UAE investigators he had planned the attack before he was hired by the airline.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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DUBAI — The UAE has set its federal spending course for the next three years, with the Cabinet approving a general budget plan worth AED292.5 billion (approximately $79.6 billion) for 2027 through 2029, state-run news agency reported.

The approval came during a Cabinet session on Monday, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Within that three-year framework, the Cabinet also signed off on the budget for fiscal year 2027 alone, set at AED 90.1 billion ($24.5 billion).

Spending for the year ahead is spread across five sectors. Social Development and Pensions takes the biggest share at AED 34.6 billion ($9.4 billion), or 38.4% of the total.

Inside that figure, education programs for public and university levels receive 18.8%, healthcare gets 6.7%, pensions take 6.4%, social affairs receive 4.4%, and public services get 2.1%.

Government Affairs follows with AED 29.1 billion ($7.9 billion), or 32.3% of the budget. Federal Expenses account for AED 17.8 billion ($4.8 billion), or 19.7%.

The Financial Investments Sector receives AED 5.6 billion ($1.5 billion), equal to 6.2%, and the Infrastructure and Economic Sector is allocated AED 3 billion ( $817 million), or 3.4%.

Finance Minister Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, said the true measure of the budget lies in its long-term impact on society, not its size alone.

He said the spending plan is built to sharpen government efficiency and speed up projects that raise living standards for citizens and residents.

Spending on education and healthcare, he said, shows steady, long-term investment in people.

He linked this spending to stronger, more responsive public services, greater social unity, and progress toward the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

Sheikh Maktoum also pointed to a growing focus on artificial intelligence and data-driven financial analysis within the budget, along with simplified procedures meant to protect the economy from global shifts.

“We are not spending simply to meet the needs of today,” he said.

“We are investing in a proactive government services ecosystem that exceeds expectations and reinforces the UAE’s global leadership.”

He described the UAE’s financial strategy as a balance of three goals: driving economic growth, funding major projects, and maintaining strict fiscal discipline, alongside updates to tax and development laws.

This balance, he said, strengthens economic stability and the country’s international competitiveness.

Both the three-year plan and the 2027 budget were approved under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2019 on Public Finance, as amended, along with its related resolutions.

Looking ahead, the government’s new planning cycle puts digital transformation at its center, with the UAE aiming to lead regionally and globally in adopting advanced technology and artificial intelligence across government work, economic activity, and financial planning.

Note: AED 3.6725 = US$1 (fixed rate, unchanged as of October 2026).

(With files from WAM)

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DUBAI — A record-breaking auction at Dubai Arabian Horse Stud generated AED 17.361 million (about $4.73 million) in sales, held within the stud’s indoor arena and drawing strong turnout from Arabian horse owners and breeders across the UAE, Gulf region, Middle East and Europe, state news agency WAM reported.

A statement released Sunday said Emirates Auction ran the sale on-site, while bidding also took place online via the Kaheelah Auction platform.

A total of 55 horses from the stud’s own breeding program went under the hammer, alongside two exclusive breeding opportunities involving stallions Fa El Rasheem and D Seraj.

Topping the results was mare D Eshrah at AED 2.8 million (about $762,000), followed by mare D Hanneen, sold for AED 2.3 million (about $626,000).

Note: USD figures are approximate, based on the UAE dirham’s fixed peg to the US dollar ($1 = AED 3.6725), not a live market rate.

(With files from WAM)

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DUBAI — A co-pilot from Oman working for flydubai intended to hijack a flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026, and deliberately crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, the UAE’s attorney general announced Friday.

The state news agency WAM reported that the plot was meant to be a suicide attack, but a fellow pilot stopped it before it could happen.

An inquiry opened by UAE prosecutors on October 1 determined that the scheme drew its idea from the deadly September 11, 2001, assault carried out against the United States.

The co-pilot, an Omani national identified by two sources as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe while the aircraft was airborne.

Investigators discovered the suspect had taken two earlier trips to Tel Aviv to study the flight path and the airport layout.

During the incident, the aircraft dropped 16,000 feet within just 30 seconds.

Officials said the man had previously worked at several airlines, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, before joining flydubai in January 2026.

Earlier, the UAE prosecutor general described the incident as a terrorist attack.

The co-pilot, an Omani national identified by two sources as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe while the aircraft was airborne.

On October 5, the Flydubai co-pilot told UAE investigators that he had planned the attack before joining the airline.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from Reuters, Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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BRUSSELS — Top airline executives said that aviation safety remains strong despite a frightening incident last week in which a flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe, in what officials believe was an attempt to crash the aircraft.

The executives admitted, however, that stopping a single rogue pilot is nearly impossible.

The remarks, made during an Airlines for Europe press conference in Brussels, were among the first public comments from industry leaders since the attack, which sent the jet dropping 16,000 feet in just 30 seconds.

The co-pilot was eventually overpowered by passengers after the injured captain opened the cockpit door.

One passenger helped steady the aircraft until a standby crew member on board safely landed the plane.

Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary told reporters that dealing with a mentally disturbed person in the cockpit is extremely difficult to prepare for through regulation.

Two Israeli officials familiar with the probe old Reuters this week that the co-pilot told investigators in the United Arab Emirates, where he remains in custody, that he had planned the attack before joining the Dubai-based state airline.

The UAE has not announced any formal charges, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation.

Saudi Arabia has launched a separate air accident investigation, Reuters reported, as aviation experts examine the broader safety implications alongside the UAE’s criminal investigation, according to three sources close to the matter.

Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said no airline can prevent every possible incident, noting that overall safety standards in the industry remain high.

He pointed out that the last similar case involving a pilot happened more than ten years ago.

That earlier case involved a Germanwings Airbus A320, which crashed into the French Alps in 2015 after the co-pilot locked the captain out of the cockpit and intentionally flew the plane into a mountain, killing 150 people.

Spohr said the industry must accept that absolute safety can never be guaranteed, adding that pilot mental health screening is already thorough.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from Reuters)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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DUBAI — Saudi Arabia has opened an air accident investigation into last week’s cockpit stabbing aboard a flydubai jet, three people familiar with the matter said, Reuters reported.

Aviation experts are now studying what the incident means for flight safety, separate from a criminal investigation already underway led by the UAE.

Safety investigations typically follow aviation accidents, but they are not required when an act is intentional, such as the apparent attempt by a co-pilot to down the Israel-bound flydubai flight on September 30.

Until now, it was unclear if Saudi Arabia would move forward with a formal probe, a step experts say could challenge a long-standing system of international cooperation built to issue safety recommendations rather than assign blame.

Sources said Saudi Arabia informed foreign aviation agencies that it would conduct the safety investigation under international rules, focusing on flight FZ1073.

The plane was flying through Saudi airspace when the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe.

Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center, the agency responsible for accident investigations, did not respond to a request for comment. The Saudi government and its aviation regulator also stayed silent when contacted.

The US National Transportation Safety Board would likely join the probe since the Boeing 737 MAX involved, which survived a sharp dive, was built in the United States. The agency could not be reached for comment.

Under global aviation rules, the UAE is automatically included in the investigation because the aircraft is registered there and flydubai is based in Dubai.

The UAE has already launched its own criminal investigation, with its prosecutor general describing the incident as a terrorist attack.

Israel, whose citizens made up nearly all 172 passengers onboard, has asked to join the Saudi-led safety investigation but has not yet received an invitation, said the head of the nation’s air accident agency.

“We are still waiting for a notification from Saudi Arabia to invite us to take part in the investigation,” said Ofer Vaknin, director of Israel’s Aircraft Safety Investigation Authority.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not maintain diplomatic ties.

Still, experts note that the decades-old framework for international aviation safety cooperation, credited with sharply lowering accident rates worldwide, has often managed to operate across political divides.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from Reuters)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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Saudi Ends 22-Year Wait, Beats UAE in Gulf Cup Final

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup final ended in heartbreak for the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday night, as host nation Saudi Arabia struck twice in a devastating two-minute span early in the first half to secure a 2-0 victory in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at Al-Inma Stadium.

The match, played under the bright lights of King Abdullah Sports City, was decided before many fans had even settled into their seats.

Saudi forward Hamam Al-Hamami opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a deflected strike that left UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa helpless.

Before the Emirates could regroup, Firas Al-Buraikan doubled the lead in the 13th minute, calmly finishing a through ball to send the home crowd into delirium.

After the Saudi goals, there was a penalty for UAE. But after the referee check the TV reply says it wasn’t a penalty.

It appeared the UAE player mask the fall. The referee Jalal Jid of Morocco waved the appeal away after consulting the VAR monitor, and no spot-kick was given.

The second period produced no goals. The UAE pushed forward in search of a lifeline, but Saudi Arabia’s defense held firm, and the hosts saw out the match to spark celebrations across the stadium.

The goals came during a blistering opening period from the hosts, who capitalized on an electric atmosphere.

The stadium, which had already set a tournament attendance record during the semifinals with over 51,000 fans, was at full capacity for the final.

The overwhelming majority of the crowd was draped in Saudi green, creating a wall of noise that seemed to rattle the UAE defense from the opening whistle.

Semifinal Drama Sets the Stage

The final pairing was confirmed on Saturday. Saudi Arabia advanced by defeating Asian champions Qatar 3-2 in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of goalless football, with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais saving two spot-kicks.

The UAE booked their place with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Oman, thanks to Ousmane Camara’s 22nd-minute header.

A Historic Final and a Crowd to Remember

Tuesday’s final marked the first-ever meeting between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the Gulf Cup final, adding historical weight to an already intense regional rivalry.

For Saudi Arabia, the victory ends a 22-year wait for the title, their last triumph coming in 2003.

The UAE, champions in 2007 and 2013, were seeking their third crown but were ultimately undone by Saudi Arabia’s explosive start.

The UAE Football Association had gone to great lengths to support their team, organizing a massive airlift of fans to Jeddah.

The federation increased the number of special flights from six to twelve to transport supporters, and covered the cost of all tickets for the UAE fan section.

Despite the logistical effort, the Emirati supporters were ultimately outnumbered and out-sung by the home faithful.

As the final whistle blew, the Saudi players celebrated in front of their jubilant fans, while the UAE squad, who had fought so hard to reach the final, were left to reflect on a devastating opening spell that ultimately cost them the trophy.

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

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DUBAI,— The flydubai co-pilot told UAE investigators that he had planned the attack before joining the airline, after allegedly assaulting the captain during a flight from Dubai to Israel in what investigators suspect was an attempt to crash the aircraft, Reuters reported.

Two Israeli officials familiar with the investigation provided details of his reported admission.

The incident took place last Wednesday aboard Flight FZ1073, which was traveling toward Israel.

The co-pilot, an Omani national identified by two sources as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly used an emergency crash axe to attack the captain while the aircraft was in the air.

A third person briefed on the UAE investigation said the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft near Ben-Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv.

The same source said investigators believe he had considered carrying out a similar plan during an earlier flight to Tel Aviv.

That earlier plan was reportedly abandoned. The reason for the change remains unclear, although the source said the co-pilot was believed to know someone who was traveling on that flight.

The attack aboard Flight FZ1073 was brought under control after passengers and crew members intervened and restrained the co-pilot.

Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, survived the incident and was praised for his actions during the emergency.

A reserve flydubai pilot who happened to be traveling as a passenger then took control of the aircraft.

The plane, which was carrying more than 170 passengers, mostly Israelis, and crew, was diverted to an airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot before transferring him to the UAE the following day.

UAE prosecutors have described the incident as a terrorist attack. However, authorities have not publicly announced formal charges against the suspect.

The co-pilot’s identity has not been officially released by UAE authorities or flydubai.

Investigators are also examining why the suspect sought employment with flydubai.

Israeli officials said he told UAE interrogators that he had searched for airlines operating flights to Tel Aviv before applying to the Dubai-based carrier.

The case has prompted questions about how he was assigned to a Tel Aviv route. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that pilots who are citizens of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel, including Oman, are not permitted to operate flights to the country.

Netanyahu later ordered a review of security procedures involving foreign airlines serving Israel.

The investigation has also expanded beyond the UAE and Israel. New Zealand police are reviewing a period the suspect spent in the country, Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Johnson said Monday.

He did not publicly identify the man or provide details about when he was in New Zealand.

Australian counterterrorism authorities are separately examining his connections to Australia. The suspect is believed to have attended RMIT University in Melbourne, where a source said he studied approximately a decade ago.

His aviation training is also being examined. Royal Air Maroc confirmed that he completed three months of theoretical training with the Moroccan airline in 2025. The airline later rejected his application for employment.

Netanyahu said that the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and described him as suicidal. The circumstances and timing of the alleged radicalization have not been publicly established.

The UAE investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed further details about possible charges or the evidence being gathered against the suspect.

Further Reading on This Topic

• Two more flydubai co-pilots detained after attack on Tel Aviv flight: report - October 14, 2026
• Flydubai passengers prepare lawsuit over attack on Tel Aviv flight - October 13, 2026
• Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight, UAE says - October 9, 2026
• Airlines admit no foolproof guard against dangerous pilots after flydubai attack - October 8, 2026
• Saudi Arabia launches investigation into flydubai air safety incident: sources - October 7, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash Tel Aviv flight before joining airline: Israeli officials - October 5, 2026
• Australia investigates flydubai co-pilot’s links to the country: police - October 4, 2026
• Flydubai’s Tel Aviv flight was a planned terrorist act, says UAE attorney general - October 3, 2026
• Israel to question flydubai’s co-pilot: source - October 2, 2026
• Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, Netanyahu says - October 1, 2026
• Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after flydubai drama - October 1, 2026
• Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv issues alert, diverted to Saudi Arabia - September 30, 2026

(With files from Reuters)

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