A Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain with an emergency axe and trying to grab management of the flight certain for Israel had beforehand been barred from flying over considerations about alleged “extremist” views, elevating questions on how he was allowed to fly to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot has been recognized as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani nationwide, in response to a number of media stories.
Really helpful Tales
record of three gadgetsfinish of record
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has described the September 30 incident aboard Flight FZ1073 as an tried “terrorist” operation.
However investigators are nonetheless working to determine the motive and whether or not anybody else was linked to the assault, which has raised considerations about pilot vetting and aviation safety.
So, what safety checks do pilots need to undergo and the way al-Hammami could have evaded background checks?
How did al-Hammami apparently move the checks?
That’s now one of many central questions dealing with investigators.
Al-Hammami had beforehand been barred from flying in Oman due to considerations that he had adopted “extremist” views and was as a substitute moved to an administrative position at Oman Air, in response to sources who spoke to the AP information company.
He was subsequently employed by Flydubai.
A Gulf diplomat instructed AP that al-Hammami had undergone commonplace safety checks earlier than being employed. It wasn’t instantly clear to what extent the co-pilot was vetted.
The US-based community CNN reported {that a} LinkedIn profile bearing al-Hammami’s identify stated he had spent seven years at Oman Air earlier than leaving in February 2025. The profile stated he joined Royal Air Maroc in June 2025 and left in January this yr.
It’s unclear what these alleged views have been or whether or not Oman knowledgeable different nations or airways about its considerations.
What background checks do business pilots undergo?
Background checks for business pilots fluctuate by airline and nation, with no single international commonplace governing the method, an airline pilot and teacher instructed Al Jazeera.
The captain with a world airline who selected to stay nameless stated pilots are usually required to acquire aviation medical certification from the regulator within the nation the place they’re licensed to fly.
Within the UAE, that’s overseen by the Common Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), he stated.
Some airways additionally require potential pilots to supply police clearance certificates from their nation of residence as a part of pre-employment screening, the pilot added.
One kind of examine is a Class 1 medical evaluation, which generally examines areas together with imaginative and prescient, listening to, cardiovascular and neurological well being, in addition to circumstances that might trigger sudden incapacitation.
With regards to safety checks, aviation guidelines require background checks for personnel who’ve unescorted entry to security-restricted areas.
Psychological assessments, drug and alcohol testing and different evaluations could also be required relying on the jurisdiction.
How did Israel enable him to fly?
Israel has among the world’s hardest aviation safety measures.
In consequence, questions have been raised over how the alleged attacker was allowed to function a flight to Israel, regardless of reportedly being an Omani nationwide and Oman having no diplomatic relations with Israel.
In accordance with the Haaretz newspaper, Israeli authorities obtained the Flydubai flight’s crew and passenger lists earlier than it departed. Below a legislation handed in 2023, airways are required to supply details about passengers and crew members, together with their names and nationalities, to Israel as much as 48 hours earlier than a flight.
The Israel Tax Authority confirmed to Haaretz that it had obtained the lists for the Flydubai flight. The media outlet reported that the data can also be speculated to be out there to Israeli safety our bodies, together with the Mossad, police and Shin Guess, to determine individuals who could pose a safety danger.
In accordance with safety sources who spoke to Haaretz, the Transportation Ministry’s Safety Division and the Mossad are chargeable for checking international flight crews and issuing alerts if considerations come up.
Nevertheless, two safety sources instructed Haaretz that whereas the Transportation Ministry holds accountability “on paper”, it doesn’t have its personal intelligence capability.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has longstanding preparations with international airways geared toward stopping pilots who’re nationals of nations with out diplomatic relations with Israel from flying there.
Netanyahu has described what occurred as a “loophole” and Israel says it would now strengthen its checks.
The UAE has not but publicly established a motive or introduced whether or not investigators imagine al-Hammami acted alone.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated on Saturday that the newest ‘terrorist’ assault is a brand new warning that the area’s battle in opposition to “extremism” isn’t over.
“This underscores the significance of the UAE’s early and agency stance: no tolerance for extremism and no leniency in the direction of its rhetoric. Safety begins with confronting hatred and drying up the sources of extremism,” he posted on X.
