DOMINANT ANGLE
Singapore is first and foremost concerned with air safety: after Abu Dhabi labeled it a "terrorist act", the local press is focusing on background checks for pilots.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Emirati Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated on October 3 that the co-pilot had attempted to commit a "terrorist act" with a fire axe.
- 02
According to a source cited by Reuters, the co-pilot is believed to be Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national; Oman has not commented and the Emirates have not publicly identified him.
- 03
Netanyahu invited Indian commander Smit Machchhar to Israel and called him a "true hero".
ANALYSIS
Singapour, 4 October 2026. Channel News Asia and the Straits Times report, citing Reuters dispatches, the statement by the Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi: the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, bound for Israel, "had attempted to commit a terrorist act". According to the statement, relayed by the state agency WAM on Saturday, 3 October, he attacked the commander in the cockpit with a safety axe and tried to take control. The Straits Times notes that these comments are the first from Emirati authorities to describe the incident as a terrorist attack.
The incident dates back to Wednesday, 30 September: passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, while over 170 people were on board. Israeli officials saw it as an apparent attempt to crash the plane. Citing a Reuters source, the Singaporean press names the co-pilot: Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Emirati authorities have not publicly identified him, and Oman has made no comment. The two publications note that the UAE is leading the investigation, which focuses on motives, potential links, and physical and digital evidence; the company is owned by the Dubai government.
The Straits Times also devotes an article, signed by Michael Levenson, to background checks: experts recall that pilots undergo medical examinations and a criminal record check, but these measures may not go far enough to detect a radicalized pilot or one hiding psychological problems.
The newspaper finally reports on the invitation extended by Benjamin Netanyahu to Indian commander Smit Machchhar, "a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel". The Israeli Prime Minister wants him to light a flame with Narendra Modi during Israel's Independence Day celebrations in May. The commander recounts that the co-pilot had asked for time to pray; he was looking ahead, out of respect, when the attack occurred, after about four to five minutes.
The coverage remains factual and sober: systematic attribution to Emirati authorities, Reuters, or Israeli sources, without commentary on diplomatic repercussions, and only one article addresses the issue of aviation security procedures.
SOURCES (2)
- Straits TimesMEDIUM
