9/11 attacks inspired flydubai hijacker to become a pilot: UAE probe
A flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attempted to hijack a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with the intent of crashing it into Ben Gurion Airport. UAE authorities report that the suspect was inspired by the 9/11 terror attacks and had conducted reconnaissance flights prior to the incident.
Why it matters
This incident highlights ongoing aviation security vulnerabilities and the persistent threat of radicalized individuals using commercial aircraft as weapons.
The co-pilot and alleged hijacker of a flydubai flight and crash it into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport was inspired by the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the US, according to preliminary findings released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Hamam al-Hammami, 29, who was serving as the co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, allegedly planned to take control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international airport.According to a statement by UAE attorney general Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, shared by Emirati state media, al-Hammami wanted to carry out an attack similar to the 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people in the US 25 years ago.
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