UAE Classifies FlyDubai Ax Attack on 182-Person Israel Flight as Terrorism
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Oct 7
UAE Classifies FlyDubai Ax Attack on 182-Person Israel Flight as Terrorism
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Oct 7
Summary
Sept. 30's attack on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 is being treated by the UAE as a terrorist act after an Omani co-pilot allegedly struck the captain with an ax, sending the Boeing 737 MAX into a steep descent.
182 people were aboard when passengers and crew subdued the suspect, and an off-duty pilot traveling on the flight landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Hamam al-Hammami, 29, had been barred from flying by Oman Air over extremist-view concerns, while the Wall Street Journal reported FlyDubai ran a criminal check but did not contact Oman about his background.
Investigators in the UAE and other countries are reviewing physical and digital evidence, his travel and training history, and possible links to Australia and New Zealand; Saudi Arabia transferred him to the UAE last week.
The case has intensified scrutiny of FlyDubai's hiring as the carrier has expanded rapidly—growing to 6,763 employees, 97 aircraft and 15.7 million passengers in 2025—while suspending Israel flights during the probe.