Flydubai passengers prepare multimillion-dollar lawsuit against airline, Israel, UAE after foiled terror attack

The passengers aboard the flydubai flight targeted in an attempted hijacking are preparing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the airline and the Israeli and Emirati governments, Calcalist reported on Sunday. The lawsuit would seek compensation over an alleged plot to crash the plane into Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport.

Israeli bank executive Tzvika Manes, one of the passengers who helped neutralize the Omani pilot Hamam al-Hammami, is leading the legal effort. Around 100 of the 174 passengers aboard flydubai FZ1073, most of them Israeli, are reportedly backing the lawsuit. Other governments could also be named because some passengers hold dual citizenship.

Local Hebrew media, citing legal experts, reported that each passenger could potentially receive between $200,000 and $250,000 in compensation. If all 174 passengers received the maximum amount, the total would reach $43.5 million, excluding legal fees and other costs.

The lawsuit would reportedly be filed under the international Montreal Convention, which governs compensation for passenger injury, death and other damage associated with international air travel. Both Israel and the United Arab Emirates are signatories to the convention. In addition, the Abraham Accords agreement between the two countries addresses aviation safety.

According to reports, al-Hammami told Emirati investigators that he intended to crash the plane into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and had been inspired by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. Emirati officials have confirmed that he faces the death penalty. Investigators are examining whether he acted alone or was connected to a broader terrorist network involving organizations or state actors, including Iran.

Separately, Israeli passenger Dr. Shota Rajuan, one of the Israeli passengers who neutralized the terrorist, told Israel's Channel 12 that he had raised concerns about two flight attendants’ behavior during the incident, including one allegedly loosening the restraints used to secure the attacker, but said he had no concrete evidence to prove his suspicions.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced over the weekend that Israel would honor Indian captain Smit Machchhar for helping save everyone aboard the flight. Despite being severely injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing Israeli passengers to enter and subdue the attacker.