Omani co-pilot named as suspect in Flydubai incident
New information raises questions about screening and information-sharing concerning flights to Israel.
Follow-up to: UAE call Flydubai incident terrorist attack Saturday, 3 October 2026, 09:19
The co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight has been identified by sources as the Omani Hamam al H. Not all authorities involved have officially confirmed the identity; the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The flight was FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying 182 people. According to the Associated Press, the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit. Passengers and crew members intervened, after which the aircraft landed safely.
The United Arab Emirates describe the incident as a terrorist attack. The country’s public prosecutor says the co-pilot tried to take over the cockpit with an emergency axe. Israeli officials have spoken of an attempt to crash the aircraft. Those characterisations come from authorities; there has been no judicial finding.
According to two sources familiar with the case, including diplomats, the suspect was an Omani national. Reuters reported the same name based on two sources. The Emirati authorities did not immediately confirm the identity. This article therefore does not present as established who exactly the suspect is or what his motive was.
New questions concern the security screening carried out before the flight. The Emirates reportedly sent Israel a list of passengers and crew members. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently ordered an investigation into the security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel.
US media also report that Oman had previously barred the co-pilot from flying because of concerns about extremist views. That information comes from a source who has not been publicly named. It is not yet clear what procedure preceded this, what information was available to Flydubai and why the man was nevertheless able to fly as a crew member.
Investigations by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Israel are to map out what happened and where responsibility lay. The United States and Oman are also said to be assisting. The case concerns not only the safety of one flight, but also how airlines, regulators and countries share information about crew members without unsubstantiated allegations being elevated into conclusions.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
- Authorities say the co-pilot attacked the captain.
- The suspect’s identity and motive have not yet been fully officially established.
- Several countries are investigating the security procedures.
Left
Arguments The emphasis should be on independent aviation regulators, clear appeal procedures and protection against discriminatory security profiling. Screening must demonstrably be effective without treating entire nationalities or religious groups as suspect.
Values Legal protection, non-discrimination, public oversight and safety as an international responsibility.
Consequences Stricter checks should be accompanied by transparency, oversight and avenues for redress for people who are wrongly excluded.
Centre
Arguments Aviation security requires several layers of checks: assessment by employers, regulators and governments, with clear rules for sharing relevant information. At the same time, investigations should establish the facts before policy is based on a single incident.
Values Proportionality, institutional reliability and careful assessment of evidence.
Consequences A targeted review of screening and information-sharing is more appropriate than general travel restrictions.
Right
Arguments The state must rule out potential security risks in the cockpit as early as possible. If a foreign authority has already designated someone as a risk, bureaucratic boundaries must not prevent airlines and allies from knowing this.
Values National security, prevention and firm accountability for carriers and regulators.
Consequences This could lead to stricter background checks, greater data-sharing and restrictions for crew members who pose security risks.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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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 text clearly distinguishes between confirmed events, official characterisations and information from anonymous sources. No unconfirmed motives or findings of guilt are presented as fact.
- confirmed Flight FZ1073 flew from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 182 people on board. — Confirmed by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely. — Confirmed by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed The Emirates describe the incident as a terrorist attack. — Attributed to the public prosecutor of the Emirates. source
- uncertain The suspect has been identified by sources as an Omani man. — Based on anonymous sources; the authorities have not fully confirmed the identity. source
- uncertain Oman is said to have previously barred the co-pilot from flying because of extremist views. — Based on an unnamed source. source
- confirmed Netanyahu announced an investigation into foreign civil aviation. — Confirmed by the Associated Press. source
Editor's note
The safe emergency landing and the statements by the Emirates have been confirmed. The suspect’s identity and earlier concerns in Oman are based on anonymous sources and therefore remain conditionally worded.Sources
- UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel — Associated Press
- Co-pilot in FlyDubai attack is identified — Associated Press
- Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, UAE says — Reuters via Investing.com
The story so far
- Thursday, 1 October 2026, 19:03 Netanyahu links cockpit incident to radicalisation
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 13:05 Israel begins repatriation flights after cockpit incident
- 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
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 21:00 Omani co-pilot named as suspect in Flydubai incident (this article)