Omani citizen Hamam al‑Hammami, a flydubai co‑pilot, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 28 July 2024, with authorities describing the incident as an attempted terrorist act and opening a criminal investigation.
Senior Omani officials told NDTV that al‑Hammami had been barred from pursuing a career in aviation in Oman after his online activity revealed interest in extremist material, a fact that failed to stop his later employment with flydubai.
The co‑pilot’s presence on a UAE‑bound flight destined for Israel raises procedural questions, as Oman has no diplomatic ties with Israel and the flight was only permitted if the crew were UAE or allied citizens.
Omani sources claim the airline or regulatory body failed to conduct the required background checks, suggesting a lapse in supervision or willful neglect, while the UAE has requested Oman’s cooperation to clarify al‑Hammami’s citizenship status.
The investigation is now underway, with UAE authorities planning a criminal hearing and tracking al‑Hammami’s travel history to determine any dual nationality that may explain his assignment to the flight.
The incident has sparked debate over cross‑border aviation security protocols, with Israeli officials calling for stricter vetting of crew on flights to and from the Middle East.