Two Maldivian flydubai pilots detained in UAE amid cockpit attack investigation
UAE authorities have taken two Maldivian flydubai pilots into custody as they probe the September 30 cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, though their involvement remains unconfirmed.
UAE police took two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai into custody on Oct. 3, according to the Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu. The airline’s newest recruits among six Maldivian pilots were reportedly informed of the detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE, which also notified their families.
The pilots are said to have had prior contact with Hamam Al-Hammami, the Omani first officer who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar on flight FZ1073 on Sept. 30. Their names and any specific charges have not been disclosed.
"Two Maldivian flydubai employees were summoned for questioning," Maldivian government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef told Adhadhu on Oct. 3. The outlet later described the men as being held in police custody, while government officials declined further comment.
The September 30 incident forced the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight to divert to Saudi Arabia after the first officer attempted to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal. He later claimed he acted alone, a statement investigators are still verifying.
Authorities are examining the pilots’ connections to the attacker, but detention does not imply guilt. The investigation’s outcome will determine whether any legal action is warranted against the two crew members.