2 Maldivian pilots detained in UAE over links to flydubai's Omani co-pilot

UAE police have detained two Maldivian flydubai pilots while probing the hijack attempt on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The two pilots were taken into custody on October 3, and their families were formally informed of the detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE

In Short

• Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while foiling the mid-air cockpit attack
• Crew and passengers helped overpower the co-pilot after cockpit access opened
• The flight carrying 174 people made an emergency landing in Tabuk

Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have been arrested by UAE police as part of an investigation into an attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, according to reports. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while trying to stop the plot on the September 30 flight.

The two pilots were taken into custody on October 3, and their families were formally informed of the detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE, Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported. Maldivian authorities have declined to comment, and UAE authorities have not released official details on the allegations against the two men or on their possible role in the case.

The arrests came as UAE authorities widened their investigation into the incident involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national accused of attacking Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft and carry out a "terrorist attack".

MALDIVIAN PILOTS' LINKS UNDER SCRUTINY

According to the Male-based Mihaaru newspaper, the two Maldivian pilots are believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at work and lived in the same building as him. However, authorities have not officially disclosed the nature of their alleged links to the incident or the evidence against them.

The two detained men are among six Maldivian nationals working as pilots for flydubai and are the airline's most recent recruits from the Maldives, news portal edition.mv reported. Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers and crew members, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged attack took place. During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar in an attempt to hijack and crash the plane. Though seriously injured, Machchhar resisted the attacker and unlocked the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to enter, overpower the co-pilot and help stabilise the aircraft. The plane then made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

The UAE has described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and said al-Hammami was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies. It has also said Omani authorities had earlier barred him from obtaining a pilot's licence. Investigators are examining how he was recruited by flydubai despite the reported restriction, as well as the motive behind the alleged plot. The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is being conducted with regional security agencies to establish the circumstances of the incident and whether the accused had links with other people or groups.

India's National Investigation Agency last week registered a case under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to probe the larger conspiracy behind the mid-air attack on Machchhar. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said he was responding well to treatment after an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, and that the Indian Embassy in the UAE was in regular contact with his family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities. The case now spans investigations in the UAE and India, with the focus on the attack, the suspect's background and any wider links.

With PTI Inputs

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