Preliminary investigations reveal that the co-pilot suspected of hijacking a Dubai-bound flight planned to crash the aircraft into an Israeli airport due to his admiration for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
On Friday, the United Arab Emirates’ state media released the latest statement from UAE’s Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, stating that on the flight FZ1073 bound for Israel last week, 29-year-old co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked the captain with a safety axe, intending to seize control of the plane and steer it towards Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
The statement indicated that al-Hammami developed an interest in extremism and terrorism during his studies in Australia in 2017.
After reading extremist literature and browsing online content glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks, he was influenced by extremist ideologies, the statement claimed.
“The idea of carrying out similar actions with an airplane was firmly entrenched in his mind, and according to his confession, this led him to decide on pursuing a career in the aviation industry in the future,” the statement read.
The statement also mentioned that al-Hammami had prepared himself physically and psychologically for carrying out a terrorist plot, including increasing his consumption of materials inciting terror attacks and taking boxing lessons from a private coach.
Investigators stated that al-Hammami had planned a “premeditated terrorist attack,” intending to control the plane and launch a suicide attack on the passenger terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, causing “as much damage as possible.”
The investigation also revealed that he had previously flown to Ben Gurion Airport twice to familiarize himself with the routes and airport conditions.
It was alleged that al-Hammami confessed to acting alone and detailed his motives and stages of the plan to investigators in the presence of a lawyer.
According to UAE’s state media reports, authorities are still investigating the evidence and the possible involvement of others, and are reviewing audio recordings and technical reports.
After the attack, Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and subdue al-Hammami. The plane, carrying 182 people, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The Attorney General stated that Dubai Aviation’s professional and safety checks did not uncover any signs of extremism or intent to launch an attack by al-Hammami. The statement claimed that he met all of the airline’s employment requirements, including holding a pilot’s license, having a good behavior certificate, and necessary medical fitness certificates.
According to the statement, al-Hammami worked at Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, then joined Royal Air Maroc in 2025. After working for a few months in the Moroccan airline, he switched to Dubai Aviation in January 2026.
However, Royal Air Maroc stated that the suspect only received three months of pre-employment training with the company and was ultimately not employed.
Earlier this month, the Australian Federal Police informed the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that a joint counter-terrorism task force comprising federal and state police, as well as Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, is investigating al-Hammami’s connections to Australia.
Australian media reported that al-Hammami obtained a student visa in 2014, arrived in Australia the following year to start university studies, and departed in 2017. His visa was canceled in 2019.