After Flydubai Attack, Israel-UAE Security Dispute Triggers Airline Restrictions and Route Suspensions

On September 30, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for Tel Aviv was hijacked by its 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami. He used an emergency axe to assault captain Smit Machchhar, forcing a rapid descent. The captain, two other pilots and several Israeli passengers broke into the cockpit, subdued the attacker and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. No fatalities were reported.

Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

The incident highlighted gaps in Israel’s screening of foreign flight crews from nations without diplomatic ties. An earlier case involving an Indonesian pilot on an Ethiopian cargo flight had raised similar concerns. Al-Hammami had previously been suspended by Oman Air as a security risk before joining Flydubai, prompting questions about employment-check procedures.

The Media Line

• UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed al-Hammami attempted a terrorist act and said investigations are ongoing.

Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

• Flydubai announced a temporary suspension of all flights to Tel Aviv and pledged cooperation with investigators.

YnetNews

• Israir halted ticket sales to Marrakech and paused a planned aircraft lease pending clarification of Israeli security directives.

Times of IsraelYnetNewsHaaretzTimes of IsraelThe Media LineSuspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

• Attacker’s age: 29.

Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

• Israel’s new aviation security directives bar crew members from 29 countries in one report, 31 in another, and add 10 African nations in a separate listing. Countries cited include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Venezuela, Pakistan and Oman.

Haaretz

• Israir had been preparing to increase Marrakech service from one to three weekly flights in November.

YnetNews

Flydubai’s suspension disrupts a key UAE-Israel link. Israir’s Marrakech freeze shows the broader fallout for carriers adjusting to the new directives. United Airlines and Air France have issued internal memos restricting crew nationals of countries lacking diplomatic relations with Israel, revising schedules for flights to Ben Gurion Airport.

YnetNews

• Scope of crew bans: Different outlets list 29, 31, or an additional 10 African states, creating uncertainty over the policy’s exact breadth.

The Media Line

• Security directives affecting Israir: The airline has not specified which new guidelines triggered the freeze or how clarification will be communicated.

Times of Israel

• Employment vetting: Sources disagree on how al-Hammami passed Flydubai’s checks after his prior suspension; some cite administrative reassignment, others note a lack of consultation with former employers.

Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

• “We recognise that there are many questions at this stage; however, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation,” — Flydubai spokesperson

Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials

• “Following the incident on a flydubai flight and the subsequent new security directives, Israir has decided to freeze its plans to expand operations to Marrakech for the time being, including the move to lease an additional aircraft,” — Israir representative

Times of Israel