Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack in Israel inspired by 9/11

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned 9/11-Style Suicide Attack on Ben Gurion Airport

   A preliminary investigation by United Arab Emirates prosecutors reveals that Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami plotted a suicide attack to crash an aircraft into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. The 29-year-old Omani national allegedly attacked the flight captain and sought an aviation career inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed the incident was a premeditated terrorist plot targeting the airport passenger terminal. Six Israelis who helped foil the hijacking plot are set to receive heroism medals from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

   Why it matters

   The plot exposes vulnerabilities regarding rogue pilots and domestic security vetting within international commercial aviation. Investigators established that the co-pilot began a drift towards extremism while in Australia and had previously faced flight restrictions in Oman over extremist views. The exposed plot has triggered broader safety concerns across the aviation sector regarding cockpit security and insider threats.

   What is confirmed

   • Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, planned to crash a Flydubai flight into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in a suicide attack.
   • UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the accused pilot confessed to a premeditated terrorist plot targeting the passenger terminal.
   • Investigators found that the attacker was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and pursued an aviation career to carry out a similar operation.
   • Israeli President Isaac Herzog will award a heroism medal to six Israelis who helped foil the Flydubai hijacking.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The attack plot was allegedly very close to being carried out in July.

   What to watch next

   • The official awarding of heroism medals to the six Israelis by President Isaac Herzog.
   • Further international regulatory responses or security audits regarding insider pilot threats following the UAE findings.
   Sources used for this update (26)

   1. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   2. www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
   3. WSJ — FlyDubai Co-Pilot Almost Carried Out His Attack in July
   4. The Jerusalem Post — Isaac Herzog to award heroism medal to six Israelis who helped foil flydubai hijacking
   5. CNN — Alleged Flydubai hijacker planned ‘suicide attack’ on Tel Aviv’s airport, early investigation finds
   6. Reuters — UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight
   7. The New York Times — Attacker in FlyDubai Flight Meant to Crash Into Israeli Airport, Emiratis Say
   8. www.cnn.com — Alleged Flydubai hijacker said 9/11 attacks spurred him to become a pilot, early investigation finds
   9. The Times of Israel — UAE confirms flydubai copilot was planning 9/11-style ‘suicide attack’ on Ben Gurion Airport
   10. Euronews.com — Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack in Israel inspired by 9/11
   11. BBC — Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says
   12. NBC News — FlyDubai co-pilot intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, UAE prosecutor says
   confidence 95%