The September 11 terrorist attacks reportedly inspired the co-pilot at the centre of an alleged Flydubai hijacking scare to pursue an aviation career, with investigators alleging he planned to use the passenger plane to carry out a similar attack.

Hamam al-Hammami allegedly intended to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, according to preliminary findings released by the United Arab Emirates’ Attorney General.

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The September 11, 2001 attacks killed nearly 3000 people after hijackers seized four commercial aircraft, crashing two into New York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth into a field in Pennsylvania.

“The idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft became firmly established in his mind, which, according to his confessions, was connected to his decision to pursue a career in aviation,” United Arab Emirates’ Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said in a statement on Friday, according to Emirati state media.

The statement alleged the intended attack was designed to cause “the greatest possible number of casualties”.

The plot was thwarted after the flight’s captain and several passengers restrained al-Hammami following an alleged attack on the captain with an emergency axe. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Hamam al-Hammami allegedly intended to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

‘A premeditated plot’

Investigators described the plan as a “premeditated plot” designed to cause mass casualties.

The investigation found al-Hammami had made two previous flights to the Israeli airport to familiarise himself with the route and location before the alleged plot.

According to the attorney general’s statement, al-Hammami also undertook boxing training under a private coach as part of preparations for the alleged attack.

He was allegedly influenced by extremist publications and online material glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.

Employment history under scrutiny

Al-Hammami worked for Oman Air between 2020 and 2024 before training with Royal Air Maroc for three months in 2025.

Royal Air Maroc told the Associated Press he was not selected for employment following that training.

He then joined Flydubai in January 2026.

A source previously told CNN that al-Hammami had been removed from flight training at Oman Air because of concerns about his radical views, before being assigned another role at the airline.

However, the UAE investigation found that he had met Flydubai’s professional and security requirements, including holding a pilot’s licence, a certificate of good conduct, and having completed the required examinations.

There were “no indications emerging during those procedures that revealed his extremist inclinations or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot,” Al Shamsi said, according to state media.

Al-Hammami has told authorities he acted alone, but investigators are continuing to examine whether anyone else was involved.

Authorities are also reviewing recordings, technical reports and other evidence as the investigation continues.