Hamam al-Hammami studied at UK university despite alleged axe attack

On 3 October 2026 a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was nearly crashed when its first‑officer, Omani national Hamam al‑Hammami, struck the captain with a crash axe and tried to seize control. In the days that followed, investigators revealed that the suspect had completed a distance‑learning aviation‑management course at Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom, a fact that has raised questions about how the airline vetted its crew and how an individual flagged for extremist concerns was able to fly a commercial airliner carrying dozens of Israeli passengers.

The incident began at 07:05 GMT when Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport for Tel Aviv. A flight‑tracking service recorded the aircraft’s altitude dropping from 34 000 ft to 17 000 ft in roughly two minutes, a descent that would normally trigger a loss‑of‑control emergency. Passengers and crew rushed into the cockpit once the door opened, overpowering al‑Hammami and stabilising the plane before it landed safely at Tabuk Airport in north‑western Saudi Arabia.

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Al‑Hammami’s background has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Buckinghamshire New University confirmed that he had completed a three‑year, distance‑learning course in aviation management in 2023, but the institution stressed that he had not undertaken any pilot training there. The university’s spokesperson said, “Hamam al‑Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University.” The course, the university’s website notes, explored the logistics, security and management of the aviation industry.

Prior to joining FlyDubai, al‑Hammami had been employed by Oman Air as a co‑pilot trainee. Sources familiar with the matter, including a Gulf diplomat and a Western diplomat, said he was barred from flying by Oman in 2024 after authorities identified extremist materials in his possession. The individuals reported that he was allowed to remain in an administrative role at Oman Air before being hired by FlyDubai. The UAE prosecutor‑general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has said the co‑pilot “began implementing his plan during the flight, using an emergency axe to attack the pilot inside the cockpit and attempting to seize control of the aircraft’s controls.” The UAE has maintained that the incident was a terrorist attack and is still investigating motives and connections to extremist groups.

Israel has been involved from the outset. Israeli officials have said the flight carried a large number of Israeli passengers and that the captain, Smit Machchhar, was severely wounded but managed to unlock the cockpit door before passengers could intervene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the suspect as having undergone “Islamist radicalisation,” though he has provided no evidence. Israel’s security agencies are cooperating with UAE investigators, and a joint investigation team has been set up to examine the co‑pilot’s background and any possible links to extremist organisations.

FlyDubai has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv pending the outcome of the investigation. The airline’s chief executive, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said the company “remains fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and is in close coordination with the relevant government authorities and regulators.” The suspension has disrupted travel for hundreds of passengers who normally use the UAE–Israel route, and the UAE and Israel have arranged repatriation flights for those stranded in the region.

Al‑Hammami’s academic credentials have come under scrutiny because of the timing of his university course. The distance‑learning program he completed ran for three years, concluding in 2023. Sources say he was barred from Oman Air in 2024, but the exact date of the ban is not publicly available. The fact that he completed a formal aviation‑management degree, yet was allowed to fly a commercial aircraft, has prompted calls for tighter vetting procedures across the industry.

Security agencies from the UAE, Israel, Oman, and other regional partners are analysing physical evidence from the cockpit, digital footprints such as al‑Hammami’s LinkedIn posts and alleged videos, and any extremist material found in his possession. The investigation is still in progress, and the UAE has stated that final findings will be announced once all procedures are completed.

In the weeks since the incident, the political fallout has been significant. The UAE has reiterated its stance against extremism, with senior adviser Anwar Gargash describing the attack as a “dangerous terrorist act.” Israel’s aviation authorities have tightened security for foreign carriers, and the UAE has announced additional screening measures for pilots and cabin crew. The incident has also highlighted the delicate nature of the UAE–Israel relationship, which has been under strain since the 2023 conflict in Gaza and the recent Israeli elections.

For passengers who were aboard Flight FZ1073, the experience has been traumatic. The captain, Smit Machchhar, has spoken publicly about the ordeal, describing how he fought to keep the aircraft level while being attacked. Several passengers, including an Israeli plumber and a doctor, have been praised for their bravery in subduing the suspect. Their actions have been compared to those of heroic figures in past aviation incidents, though no direct quotes appear in the sources.

What to watch next

• UAE authorities are expected to release a full report on the investigation within the next few weeks.
• FlyDubai will announce whether it will resume flights to Tel Aviv and any changes to its crew vetting policies.
• Israel and the UAE will likely coordinate further security protocols for commercial flights between the two countries.
• International aviation regulators may review the role of crash axes and cockpit security in light of the incident.

As the investigation continues, the world watches how a single individual’s background, a sudden act of violence, and international security protocols intersect. The outcome will shape not only the future of FlyDubai’s operations but also the broader conversation around aviation safety, pilot vetting, and the fight against extremism.