A Flydubai co‑pilot attacked the captain with an axe on an Israel‑bound flight, prompting a UAE investigation and a review of airline security measures.

A Flydubai co‑pilot attacked the captain with an axe on an Israel‑bound flight, UAE officials said.

The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft left Dubai International Airport. The co‑pilot, identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, allegedly swung the axe at the captain while the plane was climbing to cruising altitude.

The captain managed to subdue the assailant and maintain control of the aircraft. The flight completed its journey and landed safely at Dubai, where passengers were debriefed and the crew was taken into custody.

Official response

UAE aviation authorities confirmed that a criminal investigation has been opened. The civil aviation regulator said it will work with security agencies to determine how the weapon entered the cabin and to assess any lapses in crew vetting.

Flydubai issued a statement that it had suspended the co‑pilot pending the outcome of the investigation and that it was cooperating fully with the authorities. The airline added that safety and security remain its top priority.

Security implications

The episode has prompted a review of onboard security protocols across Gulf carriers. Aviation officials emphasized that any breach, however isolated, triggers a comprehensive audit of screening procedures and crew background checks.

Industry analysts noted that the use of an axe is highly unusual but stressed that the swift response by the captain prevented a potential disaster. They called for heightened vigilance as airlines expand routes to conflict‑adjacent regions.

Next steps

Authorities will interview passengers, crew members and airport staff to reconstruct the sequence of events. A final report is expected within weeks, and any legal proceedings will follow the findings of the investigation.

Flydubai has not announced whether the flight will be re‑operated under a different flight number, but the airline confirmed that all scheduled services to Israel will continue as planned.