The attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel last week has raised serious concerns about aviation security. The incident, which was prevented by the quick-thinking actions of the captain, has highlighted worrying gaps in the security measures in place. The suspected attacker, identified as co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, was reportedly removed from Oman’s national airline last year due to concerns about his extremist views.
Despite the United Arab Emirates and Israel having strict aviation security regulations, al-Hammami was allowed to fly. Aviation safety experts say that the incident raises questions about the reliability of background checks in the aviation industry. There is no international standard for background checks, and experts say that pilots’ licenses and security passes are handled at the national level, with varying rules depending on the country.
The allegations of extremist views and the suspected attacker’s dismissal from a previous job have raised concerns about the effectiveness of background checks. Experts say that hiring practices and ongoing checks vary greatly between airlines, but most involve some sort of psychological evaluation, flight simulation tests, and references from previous employers or trainers. However, it is unclear how al-Hammami would have passed a referencing process if he was dismissed from the Omani airline for concerns about his extremist views.
Aviation experts, including Alastair Rosenschein, a former pilot in the United Kingdom, have questioned why al-Hammami’s pilot’s license was not suspended. Rosenschein noted that a pilot’s license is essentially just a technical qualification that shows someone knows how to fly a plane, but does not include a record of previous employment issues or infractions. He argued that much more needs to be done in terms of industry staff checks, including information sharing between airlines and countries, social media checks, random staff checks for substances, and regular psychological exams.
The incident has also raised questions about the security of cockpit doors and the use of crash axes. The UAE has confirmed that al-Hammami used the cockpit’s crash ax, which is found on most passenger planes in case of an emergency. Experts say that cockpit doors are locked from the inside, but some planes are fitted with a switch on the control panel that can open the door. However, it is unclear if this was how the injured Indian pilot opened the door to allow passengers to help.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Saudi Arabia all conducting inquiries. Investigators will likely explore the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder first, said Marco Chan, a senior lecturer in aviation operations at London’s King’s College. The incident has highlighted the need for more stringent security measures and better information sharing between airlines and countries.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency that helps countries cooperate on aviation matters, has said that standards are “under continuous review” and are enhanced as new priorities and best practices emerge. However, experts say that more needs to be done to prevent similar incidents in the future. The attempted hijacking has raised concerns about the safety of air travel and the need for more effective security measures to protect passengers and crew.
Key points
- The incident highlights the need for more stringent security measures and better information sharing between airlines and countries.
- There is no international standard for background checks, and pilots’ licenses and security passes are handled at the national level.
- Aviation experts are calling for more effective security measures, including information sharing, social media checks, and regular psychological exams.
