Flydubai Pilot Used Previous Flights to Tel Aviv To Plot Suicide Mission

The Omani co-pilot who attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight to crash into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in a premeditated terrorist attack allegedly used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarize himself with the flight route and the airport as part of his preparations.United Arab Emirates attorney general Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot wanted to cause the greatest possible loss of life in the suicide mission by hitting the airport’s passenger terminal.The attorney general published an update Friday through the state-run WAM news agency that stated investigators have traced the background — both ideological and professional — of the suspect. The 29-year-old, identified previously as Hamam al-Hammami, told investigators that he drew inspiration from the September 11 attacks that took down the World Trade Center towers and that shaped his decision to pursue an aviation career.Mr. al-Hammami said that he regularly attended a mosque while studying in Australia and became acquainted with individuals managed by a Lebanese man who allegedly received support from an association linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.Mr. al-Hammani said he prepared himself to carry out the attack by exposing himself to material promoting terrorism. He also used a private coach to train him in boxing.In a detained confession, Mr. al-Hammani said that he acted alone to carry out the plot but investigators are still trying to verify that claim.The attorney general gave a new explanation on how the attack was thwarted. After Mr. al-Hammani started attacking the pilot with an emergency axe, a pilot who was assigned to the return flight noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly, which raised his suspicions. Investigators say that pilot approached the cockpit and used the access code to get inside as the captain was being attacked. He then intervened and the cabin crew and several passengers joined him to rescue the pilot and restrain Mr. al-Hammami.The investigation determined that Mr. al-Hammami was employed by Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, and he then worked at Royal Air Maroc for several months before moving to FlyDubai in January. The investigation showed that Mr. al-Hammami had met the professional and security requirements for employment with the airline but none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot.Mr. al-Hammami remains in custody in the UAE. The pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, is recovering from his injuries and has been hailed a hero in Israel.

Flydubai Pilot Used Previous Flights to Tel Aviv To Plot Suicide Mission

Flydubai Pilot Used Previous Flights to Tel Aviv To Plot Suicide Mission

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