On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chief Prosecutor announced that the co-pilot of Dubai Aviation FZ1073 flight (originally bound for Israel) attempted to launch a “terrorist attack” mid-flight.
UAE Chief Prosecutor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated in a press release, “The investigation into the Dubai Aviation (FlyDubai) FZ1073 flight incident revealed that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.”
This marks the first time UAE investigators have classified the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
The Chief Prosecutor mentioned that the co-pilot attacked the captain using a safety axe inside the cockpit and tried to take control of the aircraft.
Safety axes are typically stored behind the captain’s seat in the cockpit for emergencies like a plane crash.
The investigation into the FZ1073 flight incident, including the suspect’s motive, is still ongoing, and the results will be made public after completing the “necessary procedures.”
The UAE is leading the investigation into this incident. The airline is government-owned by Dubai. Most passengers on board were Israelis.
Multiple media outlets have cited sources familiar with the investigation confirming the co-pilot’s identity as Hammam al-Hammami from Oman. UAE authorities have yet to confirm his identity.
On Wednesday, the Dubai Aviation FZ1073 flight en route from Dubai, UAE to Tel Aviv, Israel, saw 174 passengers and 8 crew members overpower the co-pilot after the captain was stabbed, averting a disaster. Israeli officials had previously stated that the co-pilot attempted to crash the plane carrying over 170 passengers and crew members.
Following the Chief Prosecutor’s statement, UAE Presidential Senior Advisor Anwar Gargash took to social media to affirm the UAE’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and reiterated no tolerance for extremist rhetoric.
A spokesperson for Dubai Aviation stated on Saturday that the specifics of the incident are still under investigation, and further comments are currently withheld.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement on Friday, stating that the truth about the events on the flight on Wednesday is gradually emerging, calling the co-pilot an already radicalized terrorist.
Netanyahu said, “We are currently investigating whether he was acting on someone’s instructions. Regardless of the mastermind behind this, they will pay an extremely heavy price.”
The co-pilot was transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi in the UAE on Thursday. A source familiar with the investigation informed Reuters on Friday that Israeli officials are expected to interrogate the co-pilot in the UAE. The source did not disclose which Israeli agency or department would participate in the interrogation.
An Israeli government official mentioned that Israeli investigators would collaborate with UAE authorities in the UAE-led investigation.
Israel and Oman do not have formal diplomatic relations, and Israel has previously requested pilots from Oman and other countries not to operate flights to Israel. It remains unclear how the co-pilot was assigned to fly this flight to Tel Aviv.
Hammami has experience working with multiple airlines.
He had only been working with Dubai Aviation for 8 months. Previously, he worked with Royal Air Maroc in Morocco but quickly left.
Royal Air Maroc informed Reuters that Hammami underwent a three-month training with the company in 2025, but his subsequent job applications were rejected. The specific reasons were not disclosed by the company.
Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Hammami had been banned from flying by Oman Airline due to holding radical ideologies.