Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says

Emirati authorities have not publicly identified the co-pilot, but Israeli officials have previously said he is an Omani national.

An flydubai plane carrying Israeli passengers who had earlier been aboard another flydubai aircraft that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia approaches Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sep 30, 2026. (Photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)

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DUBAI: The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was bound for Israel, attempted to carry out a "terrorist attack" during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday (Oct 3), according to the state news agency WAM.

The co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A second source briefed on the investigation confirmed the co-pilot’s name. UAE authorities did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of his identity.

While Emirati authorities have not publicly identified the co-pilot, Israeli officials have previously said he is an Omani national. Oman has not commented on the incident.

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