2 Maldivian pilots held in Flydubai probe
Two Maldivian pilots employed by Flydubai have reportedly been detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an investigation into an alleged attempt to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight involving an Omani co-pilot.
According to Maldivian media, the two pilots were taken into custody on October 3. The Maldivian Embassy in the UAE subsequently informed their families of the detentions. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific allegations against the men or clarified whether they were directly involved in the incident.
The investigation follows an alleged attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30, when Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, 29, reportedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to take control of the aircraft and crash it.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers and crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar reportedly resisted the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to intervene and overpower the co-pilot.
The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Maldivian authorities say the two detained pilots may have had professional contact with al-Hammami and lived in the same residential building. However, officials have not confirmed the nature of these alleged connections or released evidence establishing any involvement by the two men.
According to local reports, the detained individuals are among six Maldivian nationals working as pilots for Flydubai and are the airline’s latest recruits from the Maldives.
Maldivian authorities have declined to comment publicly on the case, while UAE officials have yet to provide detailed information about the allegations against the detained pilots.
The UAE has described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and said al-Hammami was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies. Authorities have also said Omani officials previously prevented him from obtaining a pilot’s licence.
Investigators are examining how al-Hammami was recruited by the airline despite the reported restriction, along with the motive behind the alleged attack and any possible involvement of other individuals. The UAE Attorney General has said the investigation is being conducted in coordination with regional security agencies to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
India has launched a separate investigation into the alleged conspiracy. The National Investigation Agency has registered a case under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the attack on Machchhar.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs earlier said Machchhar was responding well to treatment after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. The Indian Embassy in the UAE has remained in contact with his family, medical team and local authorities.
Investigations in the UAE and India are continuing, with authorities seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged mid-air attack, examine the suspect’s background and determine whether the incident involved a wider network. The allegations against the two detained Maldivian pilots have not yet been publicly established.
