Two Maldives pilots detained in UAE amid probe of flydubai mid-air stabbing
UAE authorities detained two Maldivian pilots on Oct 3 as the investigation into the September 30 flydubai stabbing that injured Indian pilot Smit Machchhar expands.
On Oct 3, UAE security services detained two Maldivian nationals employed as pilots by flydubai, three days after the September 30 mid-air assault on flight FZ1073. Their identities remain undisclosed, but the Maldivian embassy in the UAE has informed their families. Authorities have not publicly detailed the reasons for their detention, though reports suggest they may have interacted with Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami at work and shared a residence with him.
Al-Hammami, 29, is accused of attacking Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft bound for Tel Aviv, prompting an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. The UAE Attorney General has launched a comprehensive investigation in coordination with regional security agencies, while India’s National Investigation Agency has opened a case under anti-hijacking and anti-terror laws. The incident underscores concerns about pilot vetting and potential extremist links within commercial aviation.
Why it matters
The arrests raise questions about airline security and possible extremist ties among flight crew members.
How this story developed
- Oct 3 UAE prosecutor labels Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv incident a terrorist attack
- Oct 3 The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
- Oct 4 Australia’s joint counter-terrorism team is probing the background of the flydubai co-pilot who stabbed the captain and tried to hijack the Dubai-to-Israel flight.
- Oct 5 Al‑Hammami was transferred to UAE authorities for interrogation.
- Oct 8 The Everest ransomware group announced a breach of FlyDubai’s systems and issued an extortion demand.
- Oct 13 New Zealand authorities confirmed al‑Hammami held a student visa for pilot training in Hamilton.
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