The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused a Flydubai co-pilot of plotting a suicide attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport after allegedly attempting to seize control of a passenger aircraft during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi announced details of the investigation on Friday, October 9, according to the country’s state news agency, WAM. The suspect, a 29-year-old Omani national, allegedly planned to crash the aircraft into the airport, inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
Investigators said the suspect had taken two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and airport before allegedly carrying out the plan.
During the September 30 flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane reportedly descended sharply during the confrontation, raising concerns for the safety of passengers and crew.
The captain resisted the attack, while passengers and other crew members helped overpower the suspect. Two reserve pilots aboard the aircraft then took control, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain sustained injuries and received medical treatment.
According to the UAE authorities, the suspect had previously worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai in January 2026. Investigators reportedly traced signs of his alleged radicalisation to 2017, when he was studying in Australia.
The attorney general said the suspect had allegedly confessed to acting alone. However, authorities were continuing to investigate whether anyone else had been involved in the plot.
The investigation also examined the airline’s recruitment and security screening procedures. UAE authorities said the suspect had met the professional and security requirements for employment, and investigators had not identified indications of his alleged extremist views through those checks.
The case has raised questions about aviation security and the challenges of identifying potential threats among airline personnel. The investigation remains ongoing.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
