Flydubai co-pilot who attacked Smit Machchhar, inspired by 9/11 attacks, made two visits to Ben Gurion Airport | Updates

A preliminary UAE investigation found that flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was inspired by the 9/11 attacks and allegedly planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal

Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot on the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv who attacked the flight captain in a bid to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, was reportedly inspired by the 9/11 attacks, a preliminary investigation has revealed.

According to a statement from the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, carried by state media, the suspect wanted to carry out an attack similar to 9/11, which led him to pursue an aviation career.

Here are the top updates from the flydubai hijacking case:

1. According to a statement from the UAE Attorney General, "The idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft became firmly established in his mind, which, according to his confessions, was connected to his decision to pursue a career in aviation." The statement further said that Al-Hammami wanted to carry out "a premeditated plot with a terrorist objective, aimed at taking control of the aircraft and using it to carry out a suicide attack targeting the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport,” with the intent of causing "the greatest possible number of casualties."

2. The preliminary investigation also revealed that the 30 September flight wasn't Al-Hammami's first to Israel. The suspect had already taken part in two flights to Ben Gurion Airport to become familiar with the route and airport in preparation for the attack. While he told the investigating agencies that it was a lone-wolf attack, an investigation is underway to determine the possible involvement of others.

3. According to the statement, he began gravitating towards extremism and terrorism in 2017 while studying in Australia. His views were shaped by extremist publications and online material that praised terrorist groups and suicide attacks. The statement said Al-Hammami "prepared himself psychologically and physically to carry out his plot by increasing his exposure to material inciting terrorism and training in boxing under a private coach.”

4. The pilot who intervened and prevented the plane from crashing was assigned to the return flight and was near the cockpit when Al-Hammami carried out the attack. State media said, "He noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner, which aroused his suspicions," and added that he tried to enter the cockpit using the access code and saw the attack after gaining entry.

5. The UAE said it had reviewed flydubai’s hiring process for Al-Hammami. According to the state-run news agency, investigators confirmed that the suspect fulfilled the employment criteria: he held a pilot’s licence, submitted a good-conduct certificate and passed the required checks. “However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot,” it said.

Flydubai flight attack

On 30 September, Al-Hammami attacked flight captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe in an attempt to crash the aircraft, which was carrying over 170 people, mostly Israelis. The attempt failed after Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door despite being seriously injured. Crew members and passengers subdued the suspect, while two off-duty pilots made an emergency landing at a civilian and military base in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk.

The update from the UAE provides the most detailed account so far of the attack, along with the co-pilot's history and the events that contributed to what the agency described as his extremist views.

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Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.