A Flydubai co-pilot accused of attempting to seize control of a flight to Israel had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views, raising questions about aviation security protocols.
The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, was involved in an incident on Flight FZ1073 on September 30, where he allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and tried to take control of the aircraft. The UAE has described the event as an attempted terrorist operation, though investigators are still determining the motive and whether others were involved.
Al-Hammami had been barred from flying in Oman due to concerns about his alleged extremist views and was reassigned to an administrative role at Oman Air. He later joined Flydubai, according to sources. A Gulf diplomat stated that he underwent standard security checks before being hired, but the extent of his vetting remains unclear.
Why it matters
The incident highlights gaps in pilot vetting and aviation security, directly affecting Flydubai and the UAE's aviation reputation.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Investigations will determine the extent of al-Hammami's vetting and whether Oman shared concerns with other countries or airlines.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.