The FlyDubai co-pilot allegedly planned for months to crash a plane into Tel Aviv’s airport. Israel was prepared to shoot the plane down.
The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking his captain aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv FlyDubai flight had planned for months to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway, according to Israeli officials and investigators briefed on the probe. Hamam al-Hammami reportedly told interrogators, “The dream was to crash into Ben Gurion Airport,” according to an Israeli source cited by the Jerusalem Post.
Investigators say al-Hammami specifically sought a position with FlyDubai because the airline flew to Tel Aviv, telling investigators, “I searched and checked which company flies to Tel Aviv, and that’s why I chose FlyDubai,” according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 13. He had reportedly intended to act as early as July 2026 but abandoned the attempt because of his friendship with a crew member assigned to that flight. Reports on the investigation indicate he planned to continue the Sept. 30 flight toward Israel as though nothing was wrong, obtain clearance to approach Ben Gurion Airport, then crash the plane into a building or another aircraft at the airport; Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported, citing Israeli intelligence, that he had also considered targeting high-rise buildings in Tel Aviv, with a plan designed to reach a target before fighter jets could intervene. If unable to reach Israel, investigators believe he had a backup plan to crash the aircraft into a U.S. military facility.
Two Israeli sources told CBS News that Israel was prepared to shoot down the aircraft, even with more than 150 Israelis aboard, under a long-practiced procedure for potential 9/11-style attacks, before passengers and the plane’s other pilot subdued al-Hammami and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israel’s Shin Bet security service has joined the UAE-led investigation, and officials are examining al-Hammami’s travel history, including time spent in New Zealand, which local police confirmed they are investigating in coordination with other agencies. Investigators believe al-Hammami acted alone, with no confirmed organizational link established so far, and officials have since described him as a “lone wolf” extremist. Netanyahu has ordered a security review of international flights to Israel, and it remains unclear how al-Hammami came to be assigned to the Tel Aviv route despite his alleged intentions.
This report is based on information from CNN, CBS News, ABC7, The Media Line, Fox News and Ynetnews.