Omani co-pilot planned 9/11-style hijacking before cockpit assault

The Omani co-pilot who assaulted an Indian captain aboard a FlyDubai aircraft on September 30 had allegedly begun planning a 9/11-style attack as early as July, according to preliminary investigations into the cockpit incident.

Hammami, the co-pilot involved in the attack, was reportedly planning to hijack the aircraft before the assault occurred. The incident has triggered significant concerns about security vulnerabilities in airline operations, particularly regarding the vetting of crew members with extremist inclinations.

Hammami had previously been removed from Oman Air due to radical affiliations, raising critical questions about how he was subsequently hired by FlyDubai without undergoing comprehensive background checks. The absence of thorough security screening procedures has exposed potential gaps in regional aviation safety protocols.

Investigators are now examining whether Hammami's initial July plans could have escalated into a more serious incident had the September 30 attack not been thwarted. The case has prompted calls for stricter inter-airline information-sharing mechanisms and enhanced vetting procedures across Gulf aviation authorities.