ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – United Arab Emirates prosecutors say an Omani co-pilot on a Flydubai passenger flight planned to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The allegations were announced on October 9, following an investigation into an incident that forced the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight to divert to Saudi Arabia on September 30.
UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the 29-year-old suspect had prepared for the alleged attack and used two earlier flights to familiarize himself with the route and airport. Investigators believe he was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
The allegations come from an ongoing criminal investigation. Prosecutors said the suspect confessed in the presence of his lawyer and claimed he had acted alone. Authorities are still examining evidence and investigating whether anyone else was involved.
Cockpit assault forced emergency diversion
The incident occurred aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was scheduled to travel from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
According to the UAE prosecution, the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The captain resisted and tried to call for help.
A pilot who was on board for the return flight noticed unusual movements involving the cockpit door. After entering the flight deck, he saw the attack and intervened with help from a cabin crew member and several passengers. Together, they restrained the suspect and assisted the injured captain.
The pilots regained control of the aircraft, diverted it and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai subsequently confirmed that everyone aboard was safe and receiving support. The airline later said the captain had returned to the United Arab Emirates after medical clearance.
Investigators describe alleged preparations
The UAE attorney-general said investigators traced the suspect’s movement toward extremist beliefs to 2017, when he was studying in Australia. Prosecutors said he had consumed extremist literature and online material glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks.
According to the investigation, the suspect drew inspiration from the September 11 attacks and developed a plan to use an aircraft in a similar operation. Prosecutors said he prepared psychologically and physically, including through boxing training and exposure to extremist material.
Investigators also said the suspect used two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and airport before allegedly attempting the attack on his third flight to the destination.
These details remain part of the prosecution’s account of the suspect’s alleged motives and preparations. They have not been established through a final court judgment.
Recruitment checks found no warning signs, prosecutors say
The investigation also examined how the suspect was hired by Flydubai. According to the attorney-general, he met the airline’s professional and security requirements, including holding a pilot’s licence, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required checks.
Prosecutors said those procedures did not identify signs of the suspect’s alleged extremist views or intentions. The statement does not establish that Flydubai knew about the alleged plan before the incident.
The findings raise questions about whether existing aviation recruitment and security screening systems can detect an employee who conceals extremist intentions. However, the public statement does not provide enough detail to determine whether specific screening procedures failed or whether additional warning signs were available to the airline.
Flydubai said it was cooperating with the authorities and supporting the investigation. The airline also announced a temporary suspension of its flights to and from Israel while the inquiry continued.
Investigation remains open
The UAE Public Prosecution said it had reviewed witness statements from the captain, other pilots and crew members. A forensic medical report found that the captain’s head injuries were consistent with an assault involving an implement resembling an emergency axe, according to the attorney-general.
Prosecutors said the suspect gave a detailed confession in the presence of his lawyer and admitted acting alone. Investigators are still checking that account and examining recordings, technical reports and other evidence for possible accomplices or additional connections.
The UAE had earlier confirmed that its authorities would lead the investigation, with Saudi Arabia cooperating after the aircraft landed in Tabuk. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority had also said it was examining operational and security aspects of the incident.
The case has raised significant questions about cockpit security, airline recruitment checks and the protection of international passenger flights. For now, the alleged target, motive and preparations remain allegations presented by UAE prosecutors, and the investigation has not reached its final stage.
Reporting Credit: United Arab Emirates Public Prosecution; Office of the UAE Attorney-General; UAE General Civil Aviation Authority; Flydubai.
