Flydubai Co-Pilot Cleared for Flight Despite Flagged Security Concerns

A Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked his captain with an emergency axe and attempted to hijack a flight heading to Israel, despite having previously been barred from flying due to suspected “extremist” views, prompting scrutiny over how he obtained clearance for the Tel Aviv route.

The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen, according to various media outlets.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) characterized the September 30 incident aboard Flight FZ1073 as an attempted “terrorist” act.

However, investigators are still determining the motive and whether accomplices were involved in the attack, raising broader concerns about pilot vetting and aviation security protocols.

What security screenings must pilots undergo, and how did al-Hammami potentially bypass these background checks?

How did al-Hammami reportedly pass the vetting process?

This is now one of the central questions confronting investigators.

Al-Hammami was previously banned from flying in Oman over concerns about his alleged “extremist” views and was reassigned to an administrative position at Oman Air, sources told the Associated Press.

He was later hired by Flydubai.

A Gulf diplomat informed the AP that al-Hammami underwent standard security checks prior to his hiring, though the extent of his vetting remains unclear.

CNN reported that a LinkedIn profile allegedly belonging to al-Hammami indicated he spent seven years at Oman Air before departing in February 2025, subsequently joining Royal Air Maroc in June 2025 and leaving in January of this year.

It remains unclear what the specific alleged views were, or whether Oman notified other countries or airlines about its concerns.

What background checks are required for commercial pilots?

An airline pilot and instructor told Al Jazeera that background checks for commercial pilots vary significantly by airline and country, with no universal global standard.

An anonymous captain from an international airline stated that pilots are generally required to obtain aviation medical certification from the regulatory authority in their licensed country.

In the UAE, this is overseen by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), he added.

Some airlines also require prospective pilots to submit police clearance certificates from their country of residence as part of pre-employment screening, the pilot added.

One such check is a Class 1 medical assessment, which typically evaluates vision, hearing, cardiovascular and neurological health, and conditions that could cause sudden incapacitation.

Regarding security checks, aviation regulations require background checks for personnel with unescorted access to restricted areas.

Psychological evaluations, drug and alcohol testing, and other assessments may be required depending on the jurisdiction.

How did Israel permit him to fly?

Israel maintains some of the world’s strictest aviation security measures.

Consequently, questions have been raised about how the alleged attacker was permitted to operate a flight to Israel, despite being an Omani national and Oman having no diplomatic relations with Israel.

According to Haaretz, Israeli authorities received the Flydubai flight’s crew and passenger lists before departure. Under a 2023 law, airlines must provide passenger and crew information, including names and nationalities, to Israel up to 48 hours prior to a flight.

The Israel Tax Authority confirmed to Haaretz that it received the lists for the Flydubai flight. The outlet reported that this information is also supposed to be accessible to Israeli security agencies, including the Mossad, police, and Shin Bet, to identify potential security threats.

Security sources told Haaretz that the Transportation Ministry’s Security Department and the Mossad are responsible for vetting foreign flight crews and issuing alerts if concerns arise.

However, two security sources told Haaretz that while the Transportation Ministry holds responsibility “on paper,” it lacks its own intelligence capacity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has longstanding arrangements with foreign airlines to prevent pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel from flying there.

Netanyahu described the incident as a “loophole” and said Israel will now strengthen its checks.

The UAE has not yet publicly established a motive or confirmed whether investigators believe al-Hammami acted alone.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated on Saturday that the latest “terrorist” attack is a new warning that the region’s fight against “extremism” is not over.

“This underscores the importance of the UAE’s early and firm stance: zero tolerance for extremism and no leniency towards its rhetoric. Security begins with confronting hatred and eliminating the sources of extremism,” he posted on X.

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