4 hrs ago
Report Says UAE Shared Flydubai Crew List Before Israel Flight
A Flydubai flight to Israel faced a serious security scare involving its co-pilot.
Reports say the UAE sent information about the passengers and crew to Israel before the flight.
The co-pilot, who was from Oman, reportedly received permission to fly.
Earlier reporting said Oman had banned him from flying.
He allegedly attacked the captain and planned to crash the plane into a building in Tel Aviv.
The captain managed to open the cockpit door, and passengers and others stopped the co-pilot.
Israeli agencies disagree about whether they received the passenger list.
Investigators are still looking into how the co-pilot passed the checks.
Reports say the UAE shared Flydubai passenger and crew details, including nationalities, with Israeli authorities before the flight.
The Omani co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, reportedly received clearance despite a prior ban by Oman from flying, according to an earlier Wall Street Journal report.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and planned to crash the plane into a Tel Aviv skyscraper.
The article says more than 180 people were onboard and passengers and others overpowered the co-pilot after the captain opened the cockpit door.
Israeli agencies gave conflicting accounts of whether they received passenger information; investigators are seeking information from Saudi and Emirati investigators.
- Who
- Flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, Captain Smit Machchhar, and Israeli and Emirati authorities.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack and attempted hijacking, with questions raised about the co-pilot's clearance and security checks.
- Where
- A Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport, Israel.
- When
- The flight's date is not specified; the article says the co-pilot reportedly visited Israel in June and planned an attack for July.
- Why
- The co-pilot reportedly intended to crash the plane into a Tel Aviv skyscraper; the reason he was cleared remains under investigation.
Israeli Security Agencies
Israeli Transportation Ministry
Whether passenger information was received
Israeli Security Agencies
Shin Bet said checking passenger lists falls under the Transportation Ministry.
Israeli Transportation Ministry
The Transportation Ministry said it had not received a passenger list or warning.
Whether anyone onboard raised concerns
Israeli Security Agencies
Israeli officials said no concerns were raised about anyone onboard.
Israeli Transportation Ministry
The article does not provide a separate account from the Transportation Ministry on this point.
Key facts
- Airline
- Flydubai
- Co-pilot
- Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national
- Reported prior restriction
- A Wall Street Journal report said Oman had banned him from flying aircraft.
- Passengers onboard
- More than 180, according to the article.
- Reported weapon
- A crash axe
- Reported target
- A skyscraper in Tel Aviv
- Investigation
- The UAE is leading the formal investigation, and Israeli investigators are seeking information from Saudi and Emirati investigators.
Sources
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