Israeli Authorities Examine Possible Ben Gurion Airport Target in Flydubai Hijacking Attempt
Sandego.net – Israeli officials are examining whether an attempted takeover of a Flydubai passenger jet may have been intended to endanger Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international airport near Tel Aviv.
The September 30 incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Hamam al-Hammami, the flight’s co-pilot, is accused of trying to take control of the aircraft while it was above Saudi airspace. Israeli officials familiar with the developing case believe Ben Gurion Airport was a likely intended target, though investigators have not reached final conclusions about his plans.
Questions remain over the timing and motive of the alleged attack. It is not yet clear why al-Hammami allegedly moved against Captain Smit Machchhar while the aircraft was still over Saudi territory if the intended destination was an airport in Israel.
Captain and Passengers Stopped the Attempt
The alleged hijacking was halted after the captain and several passengers intervened. They restrained al-Hammami and regained control of the situation on board, preventing him from taking command of the aircraft.
The UAE attorney general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said the co-pilot tried to seize the aircraft by attacking his colleague with a crash ax. The tool is emergency equipment carried on most planes. Al Shamsi described the incident as a terrorist act.
The attempted hijacking was a “terrorist act.”
Israeli air defenses also reacted after authorities detected an incoming commercial plane transmitting signs of a possible hijacking. Fighter jets were launched as a precaution, a standard response when a civilian aircraft may be under unlawful control or poses a potential threat.
Such procedures are designed to give security officials time to assess the danger, communicate with the aircraft and prepare for possible emergency action before the jet enters sensitive airspace or approaches a major airport.
Investigation Focuses on Motive and Security Screening
The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into how the incident unfolded, what may have motivated the suspect and how he was able to pass security measures in countries known for strict aviation protocols.
Israeli authorities were already in possession of the names of passengers and crew before the flight departed. Israel’s Tax Authority said it receives those details for possible use by security services. However, scrutiny of airline crew is handled differently from passenger screening.
Israel’s Ministry of Transport said its procedures do not include direct checks of foreign flight crew members, even though crew names are provided to the Tax Authority. The ministry said pilots and other crew must have visas to enter the country, and noted that an Omani passport should have drawn attention during the check-in process.
At the same time, the ministry acknowledged a major concern raised by the case: its existing procedures do not specifically address the possibility of a threat originating from a pilot inside the cockpit.
That distinction is significant because commercial aviation security has long focused heavily on threats entering an aircraft from outside. Pilots, by contrast, hold specialized credentials and have authorized access to secure areas, flight controls and operational equipment.
No Confirmed Wider Network
Investigators currently believe al-Hammami probably acted alone. Israeli authorities have not identified a connection to a terrorist group that may have trained, financed or coordinated the alleged attack.
Even without evidence of a broader network, the case has intensified attention on pilot screening and the sharing of security information among governments, airlines and intelligence services. Aviation specialists say responsibility for vetting pilots is divided among national authorities, carriers and security agencies.
Pilot licenses, airport access credentials and related security approvals are generally issued or regulated at the national level. Requirements can differ substantially from one country to another, creating challenges when international airlines operate across multiple jurisdictions.
Al-Hammami had previously been removed from a pilot-track role at Oman’s national airline after concerns emerged about extremist views, people familiar with that history said. He was later reassigned to an office-based position.
That background is likely to be central to the inquiry, particularly as investigators seek to determine what warning signs may have existed and whether information about them was shared among relevant authorities and employers.
Airline and Regional Officials Await Findings
Flydubai has declined to discuss the allegation while the investigation continues. Requests for comment have also been directed to Oman Air, the UAE Foreign Ministry and Dubai’s government media office.
For Israel, the case carries particular weight because Ben Gurion Airport is the country’s principal international aviation hub and a heavily protected national asset. Any suspected threat involving an inbound commercial aircraft would trigger an immediate, layered response from aviation, security and military authorities.
The inquiry remains at an early stage, and investigators have not publicly established a complete account of al-Hammami’s intentions. The eventual findings may shape how airlines and governments assess security risks posed by authorized crew members, especially on international routes involving multiple national screening systems.
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