Investigation Suggests Alleged Flydubai Hijacker Intended to Target Ben Gurion Airport

According to an Israeli official and an Israeli source familiar with the matter, the alleged hijacker of the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv likely intended to target Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the nation's primary international gateway.

The suspect in the hijacking attempt, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, was thwarted when the captain and several passengers intervened, restraining him and regaining control of the aircraft. Sources indicated that Israel is receiving updates from the Emiratis regarding the ongoing investigation, which remains in its early stages while questions regarding the suspect's true intentions persist.

Israel's Channel 12 News initially broke the report that Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport may have been the intended target. It remains unclear why al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, over Saudi airspace if an Israeli airport was his ultimate goal.

Upon detecting an inbound commercial jet signaling a potential hijacking on September 30, Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as a standard precautionary measure. The United Arab Emirates is spearheading the investigation into the FZ1073 incident to determine the motives behind the attack and understand how the suspect bypassed the strict security protocols of two countries.

Israel's Tax Authority confirmed passenger and crew manifests were provided to Israeli authorities prior to takeoff, though it directed inquiries regarding crew vetting to the Ministry of Transport. Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, similarly referred queries to the Ministry of Transport, noting it oversees security matters for foreign airlines. The transport ministry stated its procedures do not involve checking flight crew member names, though those manifests are submitted to the tax authority. Furthermore, while crew members require travel visas and an Omani passport should have been flagged during check-in, the ministry acknowledged its procedures do not explicitly address potential threats originating from a pilot.

CNN previously reported that al-Hammami likely acted alone, with Israeli authorities unaware of any ties to a terrorist organization that may have trained, funded, or organized the attack. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi described the co-pilot's attempt to seize control using a crash ax as a terrorist act.

Sources previously informed CNN that al-Hammami had been removed from his pilot training track at Oman's national airline due to concerns regarding extremist views, subsequently being reassigned to a desk job. Flydubai declined to comment while the investigation is active, while CNN also reached out to Oman Air, the UAE Foreign Ministry, and the Dubai government’s media office. Aviation experts emphasize that pilot vetting responsibilities rest with local governments, airlines, and national security services, with regulations varying by country.