Emirates describe co-pilot’s attack as terrorist act
According to Emirati authorities, the co-pilot attacked the captain and tried to take over the controls.
Follow-up to: ABC: Flydubai co-pilot previously suspended after safety concerns Saturday, 3 October 2026, 02:14
The United Arab Emirates describe the attack on the captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a terrorist attack. According to Emirati authorities, the co-pilot then tried to take control of the aircraft.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe in the cockpit during the flight. Passengers and other pilots managed to overpower him, according to sources cited by the AP news agency, after which the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The Emirati designation is a statement by the authorities, not a judicial ruling on the co-pilot’s motive or legal guilt. Investigations into the incident are under way in several countries. It is not yet clear what charges are being prepared against the co-pilot.
AP reports, based on three sources, that the co-pilot has been identified as Hamam a., an Omani national. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to make the name public. Official bodies have so far not publicly confirmed that identity.
The incident follows an ABC News report about an earlier security issue. According to that report, the man was temporarily barred from Oman Air flights in 2024 because of concerns about extremist statements. Oman Air and the Emirati authorities did not officially confirm that earlier measure at the time.
The new information may therefore raise questions about how airlines and regulators share security information. The fact that there may have been earlier concerns does not in itself prove that they were connected to the attack during flight FZ1073.
Much also remains unknown about the course of the flight, the precise trigger and how cockpit security could be breached. AP previously reported that the crew and passengers regained control of the aircraft and that it landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Emirati authorities describe it as a terrorist attack.
- Anonymous sources link the co-pilot to earlier security concerns.
- The investigation into motive, responsibility and information-sharing is still under way.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that aviation safety should not depend solely on individual screening, but also on transparent oversight, good working conditions and international information-sharing.
Values Collective security, proportionality and protection against stigmatisation based on unproven suspicions.
Consequences Warns that rapid terrorist designations can cloud investigations and stigmatise groups.
Centre
Arguments Wants to await the independent investigation first while also examining why earlier warning signs were not visible to all the aviation authorities involved.
Values The rule of law, professional safety procedures and international cooperation.
Consequences Sees scope for targeted improvements to screening and information-sharing, without introducing general measures before the facts are established.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that an attack in the cockpit poses an exceptional security risk and that airlines must be able to act firmly when there are signs of extremism.
Values Public safety, control and a robust response to the terrorist threat.
Consequences Fears that reluctance to share or assess security information leaves passengers and crew unnecessarily vulnerable.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The central facts are supported by AP and earlier NOS reporting. The motive, legal classification and official confirmation of the identity remain uncertain and are described as such.
- confirmed The United Arab Emirates describe the attack as a terrorist attack. — Reported by the Associated Press based on statements by the Emirati authorities. source
- confirmed The co-pilot attacked the captain with the axe from the cockpit. — Description in the AP report on the incident. source
- confirmed The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. — Reported by AP. source
- uncertain The co-pilot was identified as Hamam a. — AP bases this on three anonymous sources; official confirmation is lacking. source
- uncertain The co-pilot had previously been temporarily barred from Oman Air flights. — ABC News reported this, according to NOS; Oman Air and the Emirates did not officially confirm it. source
Editor's note
The attack, the emergency landing and the statement by the Emirati authorities were reported by AP. The identity and the earlier security concerns are based on anonymous sources and have not been fully officially confirmed.Sources
The story so far
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 02:14 ABC: Flydubai co-pilot previously suspended after safety concerns
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 09:19 UAE call Flydubai incident terrorist attack
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 11:19 Emirates describe co-pilot’s attack as terrorist act (this article)