Flydubai co-pilot began radicalisation in Australia, UAE prosecutors say

On Friday, UAE prosecutors released a sweeping admission that a Flydubai co‑pilot, identified as 29‑year‑old Omani Hamam al‑Hammami, had planned a suicide attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. The claim, made by Attorney General Hamad Saif al‑Shamsi, traces the pilot’s radicalisation back to a period of study in Melbourne, Australia, and ties the plot to the 9/11 attacks of 2001. The revelation follows the September 30 incident in which al‑Hammami attempted to seize a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight, striking the captain with an axe and forcing a dramatic emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The case has already prompted a review of aviation security in Israel and a safety probe by Saudi authorities.

From Melbourne to the Middle East: The Radicalisation Trail

Al‑Shamsi’s statement, published by the state news agency WAM, details how al‑Hammami’s ideological shift began in 2017 while he was a student at RMIT University in Melbourne. According to the prosecutor, the Omani national “read extremist literature and followed online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks” during that period. Guardian Australia and Israeli National News both confirm that the radicalisation was linked to the 9/11 attacks and that al‑Hammami’s intent was to use a commercial aircraft as a weapon. The prosecutor added that he had also trained in boxing, a physical preparation that the investigation framed as part of his “psychological and physical” readiness for a suicide mission.

Media additions

UAE says Omani flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv flight | The Express Tribune

Al‑Hammami’s flight history shows a progression through several airlines before joining Flydubai in January 2026. He worked for Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, spent a brief period with Royal Air Maroc in 2025, and was employed by Flydubai at the time of the September 30 incident. The UAE investigation reviewed his employment files and found that he met all professional and security requirements, including a valid pilot’s licence, a certificate of good conduct and completion of the necessary background checks. No evidence of extremist views emerged during Flydubai’s recruitment process, a finding repeated by Al Jazeera and Kiprinform.

The September 30 Incident: A Mid‑Air Clash

On 30 September, flight FZ1073 departed Dubai at 7:05 am local time and climbed to 34,000 feet. A little over two hours later, the aircraft began a steep descent that varied in reported magnitude. Al Jazeera cites a drop of more than 17,000 feet in about two minutes, while Guardian reports a descent of 5,000 metres in 30 seconds. A table below juxtaposes the figures from the main outlets.

Al‑Hammami allegedly struck the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency axe. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to rush in and subdue the attacker. Two reserve pilots on the return flight seized control and diverted the aircraft to Tabuk Airport in north‑western Saudi Arabia, where both pilots were taken to hospital and later transferred to Abu Dhabi after medical clearance.

Reactions Across the Region

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers and the captain for their bravery and ordered a “thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel.” Al Jazeera notes that the event came weeks before the election, a time when security is a defining issue. Saudi authorities launched a separate safety investigation into the flight, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded a civilian heroism honour to six Israelis who helped stop the attack.

UAE officials have declined to name the suspect, but people with direct knowledge have identified him as Hamam al‑Hammami. The UAE prosecutor’s statement, released on Friday, did not implicate Flydubai in any wrongdoing, a point echoed by Al Jazeera and Kiprinform.

What’s Next?

Investigations are still ongoing. UAE prosecutors are reviewing recordings, technical reports and potential links to accomplices. Saudi authorities are conducting a safety probe, and Israeli security agencies are likely to tighten checks on foreign civil aviation. The incident has already prompted a review of aviation security in Israel, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for thorough scrutiny of all foreign flights into the country.

Timeline of Key Events

• 2017 – Al‑Hammami begins radicalisation while studying at RMIT University, Melbourne.
• 2020‑2024 – Works for Oman Air.
• 2025 – Brief stint with Royal Air Maroc.
• January 2026 – Joins Flydubai.
• 30 September 2026 – Flight FZ1073 departs Dubai; al‑Hammami attacks captain.
• 30 September 2026 – Aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
• 1 October 2026 – UAE prosecutors launch inquiry.
• 5 October 2026 – Attorney General releases findings.

As the investigation unfolds, the world watches how the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the aviation industry will respond to a plot that exploited the very systems designed to keep passengers safe. The case underscores the need for vigilance across borders, even as international travel resumes after years of unprecedented disruption.