Smartraveller: Government agency lowers advice level to UAE, Qatar despite attempted flydubai terror attack

Australian travel advice agency Smartraveller have downgraded its travel advice to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar just days after an alleged hijacker attempted a terrorist attack in the region.

The agency’s website, which ranks countries depending on how safe it is for Australians to travel to says it has “lowered” the advice level for both countries in an announcement on Thursday.

“We now advise exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorism and the unpredictable security situation in the region,” a Smartraveller statement said.

The move comes despite a hijacking attempt on an airdubai flight from the UAE to Israel on September 31, where co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked his copilot with an axe, reportedly to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

The attempt was thwarted after the other pilot, Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door which allowed passengers to restrain Mr al-Hammami and an off-duty pilot to land the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.

Mr al-Hammami had previously worked for Oman Air, but was moved to a “desk job” over concerns he held extremist beliefs and left the airline in 2025, according to The Guardian.

According to reports, Mr al-Hammami had sought to work for an airline which offered flights directly into Israel and actively tried to be scheduled to work on flights between Dubai and Tel-Aviv, according to people briefed on official investigations by UAE and Israeli authorities.

“I looked into which airline flies to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose flydubai. I planned it even before I was accepted,” Mr al-Hammami told investigators, according to The Times of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed Mr al-Hammami “underwent Islamic radical indoctrination” before the incident.

The announcement also included warnings about the US’ war with Iran for both countries, which have been in place since the conflict began in February this year.

“Military strikes and reprisal attacks have occurred across parts of the Middle East,” the statement said.

“There remains a risk of further escalation, including attacks on military, critical and civilian infrastructure. The possibility of military action could disrupt travel, including airspace closures and flight cancellations.”