A series of security and communication failures in Oman, the UAE and Israel reportedly allowed a flydubai co-pilot with known security concerns to fly to Tel Aviv, culminating in a dramatic cockpit attack that investigators have claimed could have led to a major aviation disaster.

The incident surrounding flydubai Flight 1073 has raised serious questions about international aviation security, background checks of airline crew and the sharing of intelligence between countries. A Wall Street Journal investigation cited by the Times of India revealed that there were multiple opportunities to identify and stop the co-pilot before the flight.

Oman Raised Concerns About the Pilot

The security concerns reportedly started in Oman, where officials examined the online activity of Hamam al-Hammami and found signs of interest in radical ideology.

As a result, he was reportedly prohibited from flying for Oman Air, placed in a deradicalisation programme and moved to a desk-based position. However, the concerns were not widely shared with other aviation authorities or potential employers.

When al-Hammami joined flydubai, the airline reportedly conducted a criminal background check but did not receive the earlier information from Oman regarding why he had been removed from flying duties.

Warning Was Not Shared With Flydubai

• The lack of information transfer was a key gap in the aviation security system.
• According to the investigation, Oman did not officially withdraw al-Hammami's pilot licence. Had that action been taken, it could potentially have resulted in a notification to UAE authorities.
• Instead, the concerns regarding his previous flying status and alleged extremist interests were not made known to flydubai in a way that would have prevented him from operating passenger flights.
• He was subsequently assigned to the Dubai-Tel Aviv route, which he reportedly flew several times.

Israel Had His Crew Information

• Another security lapse supposedly occurred in Israel.
• Foreign airlines flying to Israel are required to provide passenger and crew information before landing. Flydubai submitted the manifest of Flight 1073, meaning that Israeli authorities had access to the identity of the crew members.
• However, Israel's Transportation Ministry reportedly said it did not feel itself equipped or authorised to carry out detailed security vetting of foreign airline crews.
• A database set up in 2023, to help authorised agencies check passenger and crew information was also reportedly not accessed by the ministry because officials were unaware that the system was operational and available for their use.

Another Rule Could Have Prevented the Flight

The investigation has also illuminated another major issue.

Israel limits the operations of pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with the country. Oman does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, yet al-Hammami was allowed to operate a flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The incident has thereby raised questions as to whether existing restrictions were properly enforced and whether responsibility for screening foreign airline crews was clearly assigned between Israeli agencies.

Earlier warnings had also supposedly pointed to weaknesses in Israel's aviation security system, including fragmented responsibilities, staffing problems and limited resources.

What Happened Inside the Flydubai Cockpit?

• The series of security failures culminated in a major mid-flight incident.
• During Flight 1073, al-Hammami reportedly attacked the aircraft's captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency axe, having left his seat under the pretence of going to pray.
• The captain was injured but then managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and others then intervened and overpowered the co-pilot.
• As the aircraft entered a dangerous dive, they helped to regain control of the situation. A second pair of pilots then helped to land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Authorities Investigate Possible Terror Attack

The UAE Attorney General has described the incident as an attempted terrorist act.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel are investigating whether the co-pilot had intended to crash the aircraft in Tel Aviv. Investigators are also examining whether he acted alone or had any connections to a larger organisation.

So far, authorities have reportedly not identified any evidence linking the incident to a foreign government or major terrorist organisation.

Israel Reviews Foreign Airline Security

The flydubai incident has now caused renewed scrutiny of the aviation security procedures of foreign airlines that fly to Israel.

The episode has highlighted the potential for a failure in an individual country's aviation or security system to be a major international risk if information is not appropriately shared between governments, airlines and security agencies.

The case is also drawing comparisons to the security vulnerabilities exposed by the September 11 attacks, despite the fact that the circumstances of the two incidents are very different. Israeli officials have described the incident as a narrowly avoided potential catastrophe.

The incident is expected to fuel debate over international pilot background checks, intelligence sharing, foreign crew screening and aviation security protocols.