Co-pilot who tried to hijack Flydubai flight trained at UK pilot school
An Omani national who attempted to seize control of a Flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv was trained at a British pilot academy, officials said.
Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani citizen, attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight heading to Tel Aviv, using an onboard crash axe to wound captain Smit Machchhar. The captain’s resistance and a collective effort by passengers and crew prevented the aircraft from descending further, and the plane touched down safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Authorities discovered that Al Hammami had received pilot instruction at L3 Airline Academy, now under Acron Aviation, which runs training sites in Southampton, Bournemouth and near Gatwick.
Both Flydubai and Acron Aviation refused to confirm his attendance, citing policy. Prior security vetting of Al Hammami focused on criminal convictions and did not probe deeper into possible extremist influences, despite earlier concerns about his time in Syria.
Why it matters
The incident shows gaps in airline security vetting and highlights risks of radicalised individuals accessing pilot training abroad.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu hails Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai sabotage
- Oct 2 The suspect was transferred to United Arab Emirates authorities.
- Oct 2 President Trump said investigators are working to determine whether Iran is linked to the co‑pilot.
- Oct 2 A UAE official called the mid-air incident on flydubai flight FZ1073 a terrorist act and praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for safely landing the aircraft after a co-pilot attack.
- Oct 2 Modi praised Machchhar for averting disaster.
- Oct 2 Israeli carriers have formally requested clearance to restart Dubai routes.
- Oct 3 Co‑pilot identified as Hamam al Hamami, an Omani national previously barred by Oman over extremist concerns.
- Oct 3 UAE prosecutors have classified the March incident on Flydubai flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv as a terrorist attack after a co-pilot used an emergency axe against the pilot.
- Oct 3 The weapon used in the attack was identified as a small axe.
- Oct 3 The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
- Oct 3 Specialised investigators are analysing physical and digital evidence to determine the co‑pilot's motives and identify any potential ties to external extremist organisations.
- Oct 5 Al‑Hammami was transferred to UAE authorities for interrogation.
- Oct 6 President Trump warned of harsh retaliation against Iran if involvement is proven.
- Oct 6 Interrogations revealed the co‑pilot said his motive was revenge for Gaza and that he had earlier been prohibited from flying due to extremist concerns.
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