Flydubai co-pilot reportedly targeted Tel Aviv-bound flights months before attack, sought airlines flying to Israel

New details from the investigation into the thwarted September 30 aviation terror plot reveal a calculated, long-term effort by the suspect to gain access to Israeli airspace. Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ 1073, reportedly admitted during interrogation that his choice of employer was driven entirely by his objective to target Tel Aviv.

Premeditated Selection of Targets

According to reports reviewed by The Zioneer, al-Hammami stated that he systematically checked which airlines operated routes to Israel before applying for a position. "I checked which airline flies to Tel Aviv, and that is how I reached Flydubai," the suspect reportedly told investigators. He further clarified that the planning for the operation preceded his acceptance into the company. This premeditation underscores the 9/11-style nature of the plot, which aimed to use a commercial aircraft as a kinetic weapon against Israeli population centers.

Shifted Timelines and Radicalization

Investigators have found that al-Hammami originally intended to carry out the attack during the peak summer months of July or August 2026. While the reason for the delay until late September remains under investigation, the timeline aligns with earlier reports of the suspect's radicalization. As previously reported by The Zioneer, al-Hammami had been dismissed from Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc after extremist materials were discovered in his possession.

Ongoing Investigation in the UAE

An Israeli investigation team is currently in the United Arab Emirates to coordinate with local authorities and interrogate the suspect. The probe is examining the full extent of al-Hammami's background, including his prior flights to Israel and potential links to external terror elements. While initial assessments suggested a "lone wolf" profile, the depth of his planning and prior extremist flags continue to be a primary focus for security officials in both Jerusalem and Dubai.