Flydubai hijack attempt exposes alarming rise in extremist training abroad

On 30 September 2026 a 29‑year‑old Omani co‑pilot, Hamam al‑Hammami, tried to seize control of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and apparently intended to crash the aircraft into the Israeli capital.

The attack began when the copilot wounded the captain with an emergency crash axe. Passengers on board, many of whom were Israeli nationals, fought back, disabled the attacker and forced the plane to land safely in Saudi Arabia.

UAE Attorney‑General Hamad Saif al‑Shamsi said investigations uncovered a “drift towards extremism and terrorism” that dated back to 2017 when the pilot studied at RMIT University in Melbourne. He was reportedly influenced by online extremist material and had trained in boxing with a private coach to prepare for a suicidal attack.

The incident has opened a wider debate on aviation security, the vetting of airline crew and the monitoring of individuals who may develop radical beliefs while abroad. Australian authorities are also examining the pilot’s links to the country and whether additional safeguards could have prevented the plot.