Flydubai Incident: UAE Detains 2 Maldivian Co-Pilots Over Alleged Links to Attacker

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have detained two Maldivian co-pilots employed by flydubai as part of an expanding investigation into the September 30 incident involving Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and Indian Captain Smit Machchhar.

The two pilots were taken into custody on October 3, according to Maldivian media reports. Investigators are examining their professional and personal connections with al-Hammami, including whether they shared flight duties, lived in the same residential building or communicated outside work.

The probe follows an alleged attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Al-Hammami allegedly assaulted Machchhar in the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. The flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew subdued the accused co-pilot.

Investigators are examining possible extremist influences and whether anyone in al-Hammami’s circle knew about his alleged intentions. Authorities are reviewing private messages, social media activity and reports that he discussed suicide attacks and the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

An examination of his social media accounts reportedly uncovered images of al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, along with Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, who carried out a suicide bombing at a CIA base in Afghanistan in 2009. The accounts also reportedly contained footage of Israeli military aircraft.

Al-Qaeda-linked media outlets and Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have praised al-Hammami, according to reports. However, UAE intelligence officials have said there is no evidence so far establishing an operational connection between him and al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group, Hamas or another established militant organisation.

Al-Hammami has reportedly told investigators that he acted alone. Authorities are nevertheless examining whether he developed his alleged plans independently and whether the September 30 incident was planned in advance.

Investigators also suspect he took two earlier flights on the Dubai-Tel Aviv route to assess it before the alleged attack. The case has raised questions about flydubai’s recruitment and security checks, particularly amid reports of earlier concerns about al-Hammami during his employment in Oman.