The United Arab Emirates is investigating an incident on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot attempted to hijack the plane. According to the UAE's Public Prosecutor, Hamad Saif Al-Shamisi, the co-pilot used an emergency axe to attack the captain in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the motives behind the incident and any potential connections.
The incident occurred on a flight that departed from Dubai and was headed to Tel Aviv. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) reported that the co-pilot's actions were swiftly responded to by the captain and crew, who managed to regain control of the plane. The GCAA praised the captain's quick thinking and the crew's actions, which helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
The co-pilot, who has not been publicly identified, was taken into custody and is being questioned by authorities. According to reports, he is an Omani national named Hamam Al-Hammadi, who was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother. Al-Hammadi had studied at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, where he completed a distance-learning program in aviation management and obtained a certificate in the field in 2023.
The investigation into the incident is being led by the UAE, with Israeli authorities also participating. According to reports, Israeli investigators will be involved in questioning Al-Hammadi as part of a joint investigation. The UAE has not officially confirmed the details of the Israeli involvement, but sources indicate that they will play a role in uncovering the motives behind the incident.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation security, particularly in the region. The UAE and Israel have been working together to enhance security measures and share intelligence on potential threats. The incident is also being seen as a test of the UAE's aviation security protocols and the country's ability to respond to such incidents.
The co-pilot's background is being scrutinized as part of the investigation. According to reports, he had previously been grounded by Omani authorities due to concerns about his behavior and potential extremist ideologies. He was subsequently transferred to a different role within the airline before leaving.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events surrounding the incident. The UAE's Public Prosecutor has stated that the final results of the investigation will be announced once all necessary procedures have been completed. The incident has highlighted the importance of robust security measures in the aviation industry and the need for continued cooperation between countries to prevent such incidents.
Key points
- UAE authorities investigate FlyDubai co-pilot's attempt to hijack plane en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- Israeli investigators to participate in questioning co-pilot as part of joint investigation.
- Incident raises concerns about aviation security in the region.
