Tel Aviv: The investigation into the alleged hijacking attempt aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel has raised another disturbing possibility: the aircraft may have been intended for a high-profile target in Tel Aviv, with the Azrieli Towers reportedly among the locations being examined by investigators.
The claim comes as investigators continue questioning the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 during its journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. According to Reuters, sources briefed on the UAE investigation said the co-pilot had planned the attack before joining Flydubai and intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli and international media reports, however, have also referred to a possible plan involving a Tel Aviv skyscraper or other high-value target. The Jerusalem Post reported that the suspect had researched airlines operating flights to Tel Aviv and allegedly chose Flydubai because of its Israel route.
The exact intended target remains a matter for investigators. Reports identifying the Azrieli Towers specifically have not been established as an official finding. Therefore, the towers should be described as a possible or reported target, rather than a confirmed target.
How the attack was thwarted
The incident unfolded when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit emergency axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the attacker.
A reserve pilot travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 people, most of them Israeli passengers.
The UAE prosecutor general has described the incident as a terrorist attack. The suspect was subsequently taken into UAE custody after initially being detained following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Ben Gurion Airport remains the strongest reported target
The most consistent reporting so far points to Ben Gurion Airport as the primary intended target. Reuters reported that a source briefed on the UAE investigation said the co-pilot planned to crash the flight into the airport. CBS News separately reported that an Israeli official said the suspect told interrogators that he intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion.
The Times of Israel reported that the suspect allegedly planned to fly normally toward Israel and then crash the aircraft into a building or aircraft at the airport.
Against this background, reports of a possible Tel Aviv skyscraper target—including the Azrieli complex—remain an additional line of inquiry rather than a confirmed conclusion.
What are the Azrieli Towers?
The Azrieli Center, commonly referred to as the Azrieli Towers, is one of Tel Aviv’s most recognizable commercial landmarks. Located on Menachem Begin Road in central Tel Aviv, the complex consists of three distinctive towers—the Round Tower, Triangular Tower and Square Tower—along with a large shopping and business complex. The Azrieli Group describes it as a major business center and an iconic part of Tel Aviv’s skyline.
The towers vary in height:
- Round Tower: 187 metres, 49 floors
- Triangular Tower: 169 metres, 45 floors
- Square Tower: 154 metres, 41 floors
The complex includes offices, retail space, parking facilities and a business hotel. The Azrieli Group says the center has approximately 151,000 square metres of space and around 3,000 parking spaces.
The first phase of the Azrieli Center opened in the late 1990s, while the Square Tower was completed later. The complex was developed by Israeli businessman and philanthropist David Azrieli and has become a defining feature of Tel Aviv’s skyline.
Hamam al-Hammami joined the airline with the terror plan already in place and planned to crash the plane into the Azrieli towers in a repeat of the 9/11 Twin Towers attack. Read the latest: https://t.co/Kp8NPyWcbQ https://t.co/OPaDf1DxsC
— The Australian (@australian) October 5, 2026
Investigation continues
The Flydubai incident has prompted scrutiny of how the suspect was able to obtain a position as a commercial pilot and subsequently operate a flight to Israel. Reuters reported that investigators are examining his previous history, including his earlier flights to Tel Aviv and his reported decision to seek employment with an airline serving the Israeli route.
Israeli authorities have also launched a review of procedures governing foreign airlines and crew members operating flights to the country.
For now, investigators appear to be examining more than one possible scenario. Ben Gurion Airport is the most clearly reported intended target, while reports of a possible Tel Aviv skyscraper—including the Azrieli Towers—remain unconfirmed. The final determination will depend on evidence gathered by the UAE, Israeli and other investigating agencies.
