{"id":160656,"date":"2026-10-13T20:47:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=160656"},"modified":"2026-10-13T20:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:18:07","slug":"two-maldivian-pilots-working-for-flydubai-reportedly-detained-in-uae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/two-maldivian-pilots-working-for-flydubai-reportedly-detained-in-uae\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Maldivian Pilots Working for Flydubai Reportedly Arrested in UAE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI-<\/strong> Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai (FZ)<\/a> are reportedly in UAE police custody as authorities investigate their possible connections to the September 30 cockpit attack on flight FZ1073.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight was scheduled to travel from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (TLV), before diverting to Tabuk Airport (TUU), Saudi Arabia, following the attack on the captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – FlyDubai, A6-FMA, Boeing 737-8 MAX, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=74049798<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UAE Investigation Examines the Detained Flydubai Pilots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu<\/a>, two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai were taken into police custody on October 3. The report, published on October 8, said the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE subsequently informed their families that the men were being detained by UAE police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development followed an earlier report published by Adhadhu on October 3. At that time, Maldivian government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef confirmed that two flydubai employees had been summoned for questioning. The report stated that neither employee had been arrested at that stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two reports describe different stages of the investigation. The initial report confirmed questioning, while the later report described the pilots as being in police custody. However, the authorities have not publicly explained the specific grounds for their reported detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adhadhu reported that the two men were among the newest recruits in a group of six Maldivian pilots<\/a> employed by flydubai. The outlet also reported that they had interacted with Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani first officer accused of attacking the captain aboard flight FZ1073.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An earlier report cited a source who said the Maldivian pilots had met al-Hammami at a corporate event. However, Adhadhu noted that it could not independently verify that detail through a second source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither pilot has been publicly identified in the reports, and no specific charges against them have been disclosed. Adhadhu also reported that spokespeople for the Maldivian President\u2019s Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the reported detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – FlyDubai, A6-FMA, Boeing 737-8 MAX, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=74049786<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UAE Details the Alleged Plot Behind Flight FZ1073<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On October 9, the UAE Attorney-General released an update on the investigation into flight FZ1073. According to the official statement published by the Emirates News Agency<\/a>, investigators concluded that the 29-year-old Omani first officer had planned to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement said the suspect had provided a confession describing his motives and the stages of his alleged planning and execution. It also said he admitted acting alone, without the involvement of other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the UAE Attorney-General made clear that investigators were continuing to verify this claim. The Public Prosecution is examining evidence, reviewing recordings and technical reports, and investigating possible accomplices or other connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This distinction is important. Although the authorities are examining whether anyone else may have been involved, the investigation has not publicly established that the two Maldivian pilots helped plan or carry out the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The detention report also does not establish whether the men were arrested because of specific evidence, their professional contact with al-Hammami, or other information gathered during the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo:- By Papas Dos from Moscow, Russia – A6-FDP B738 FlyDubai VKO, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=58462451<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How the September 30 Cockpit Attack Unfolded<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Flight FZ1073 was operating from Dubai<\/a> to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the Omani first officer allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit with an emergency axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the UAE Attorney-General\u2019s account, Machchhar resisted the attack and attempted to call for help. Another flydubai pilot who was on board and near the cockpit noticed unusual movements involving the cockpit door and intervened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cabin crew member and several passengers assisted in restraining the attacker and helping the injured captain. Meanwhile, the pilots regained control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident prompted criminal investigations into the alleged attack, its preparation and the possibility of wider involvement. The UAE is leading the criminal investigation, while Saudi Arabia has also launched a separate aviation safety investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Narendra Modi Ji Twitter Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India Opens a Separate Probe Into a Possible Wider Conspiracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The investigation has also expanded in India. On October 11, The Indian Express<\/em> reported<\/a> that India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case to investigate a possible larger conspiracy behind the attack on Captain Machchhar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report said the agency would examine whether the Omani first officer acted alone or was part of a wider group. The investigation follows the attack on an Indian national aboard an international flight and the potential wider implications of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Indian investigation adds another layer to the effort to establish the full circumstances surrounding FZ1073. However, the reported NIA inquiry does not itself establish any connection between the two detained Maldivian pilots and the alleged plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Maldives
Photo: Maldives <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Remains Unknown About the Two Pilots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The central unanswered questions concern why the two Maldivian pilots were reportedly detained, what evidence authorities have gathered about their contacts with al-Hammami, and whether investigators suspect either man of having advance knowledge of the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their reported workplace interactions with the Omani first officer may be relevant to investigators, but contact with a colleague does not by itself demonstrate participation in a criminal plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities need to establish whether the pilots knew about the alleged plan, assisted its preparation, or otherwise played a role in the incident. The publicly available reports do not establish any of these claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UAE investigation remains ongoing, and its findings will determine whether the reported detention leads to formal charges or whether the pilots are cleared of suspected involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers and crew deserve a complete account of what happened aboard flight FZ1073. At the same time, the two Maldivian pilots should be judged on evidence rather than association with the accused first officer. Until authorities disclose substantiated findings about their roles, their alleged involvement remains unproven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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