UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight

Abu Dhabi Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, revealed that the Public Prosecution's investigation into Flydubai flight FZ1073, scheduled for 30 September 2026 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, found that the Omani co-pilot on board had planned a terrorist attack to seize control of the aircraft and carry out a suicide mission at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

According to investigators, the 29-year-old suspect's extremist ideology and terrorist intentions emerged in 2017 while he was studying in Australia. He became influenced by takfiri ideology through extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks. The suspect also drew inspiration from the 11 September 2001 attacks and aimed to emulate their methods using an aircraft, a goal he linked to his choice of a career in aviation.

He worked for several airlines, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, before joining Flydubai in January 2026. The suspect confessed to planning the attack alone, having researched the flight route and airport via previous flights to Tel Aviv and training in boxing. He attacked the captain with an axe inside the cockpit, prompting a crew member and passengers to intervene.

The return-flight captain and co-pilot regained control, diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. The suspect admitted to acting alone during a confession while under legal safeguards. The investigation is ongoing, with further findings expected as the UAE continues to examine evidence and verify the suspect's claims.