The suspected hijackers of the FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv likely targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, the country’s main international gateway, Israeli officials and Israeli sources familiar with the matter said.
Hammam Al Hammami, a suspect in the attempted hijacking and the co-pilot of the plane, was stopped by the actions of the captain and several passengers and took control of the plane.
The official and sources said Israel was receiving updates from the Emirates but the investigation was still in its early stages. Questions remain about the suspect’s intentions, they added.
Israel’s Channel 12 News first reported that Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport may have been the target of a hijacking.
If al-Hamami’s objective was to target an Israeli airport, it is unclear why al-Hamami allegedly attacked the pilot, Sumit Machal, over Saudi airspace. On September 30, when Israel detected incoming civilian aircraft that suggested a possible hijacking, authorities scrambled Israeli fighter jets as a precaution. This is standard procedure for such emergencies.
The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into the attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight FZ1073, uncovering the motive behind the attack and how the suspects were able to bypass the safeguards in both countries, which are known for their strict security protocols.
The Israeli Tax Authority confirmed that the names of all passengers and crew members were in the custody of Israeli authorities before takeoff, but said questions regarding crew screening should be referred to the Ministry of Transport. Israel’s internal security agency, the Shin Bet, also referred CNN to the Ministry of Transport, which it said is “responsible for all safety issues related to foreign airlines.”
The Ministry of Transport said the process does not include verifying the names of flight crew members, but that these names are submitted to the Israeli tax authorities and collected by the authorities at the request of security authorities.
The ministry added that all air crew members must obtain a travel visa to enter Oman and must present their Omani passport at check-in. But the department also said that “its procedures do not address the threat from pilots.”
CNN reported Sunday that the suspect likely acted alone and that Israel is currently not aware of any links to the terrorist organization that trained, financed or organized the attack.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot on the flight attacked his colleague with a crash ax, a required equipment on most aircraft, and tried to seize control of the plane. The attorney general called the attempted hijacking an “act of terrorism.”
Sources earlier told CNN that al-Hamami had been removed from his previous job as a pilot with Oman’s national airline due to concerns about his extremist views. He has been transferred to an administrative position at the company, one of the people said.
Flydubai said it could not comment on the matter as the investigation was ongoing. CNN has also reached out to Oman Air, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dubai Government Press Office for comment.
Aviation experts told CNN that local governments, airlines and security services are responsible for vetting pilots. Experts said pilot licenses and security passes are handled at a national level and rules vary from country to country.
