Flydubai Hijack Attempt Linked to Australian Study Period, UAE Claims
UAE Attorney‑General Hamad Saif al‑Shamsi says the co‑pilot who stabbed the captain on flight FZ1073 began a drift toward extremism while studying in Australia.
According to the Emirati statement, the 29‑year‑old, often named Hamam al‑Hammami, tried to crash the plane into Tel Aviv’s airport, a plan he allegedly rehearsed in Australia between 2015 and 2017.
Passengers seized the cockpit, enabling a flight crew member to unlock the door and bring the plane to a safe landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident reinvigorates questions about security vetting for crew from states without diplomatic ties to Israel.
Background and Investigation
Al‑Hammami studied engineering at RMIT in Melbourne before leaving without a degree, a fact confirmed by the Australian regulator in late September.
Australian authorities, including the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, began examining the individual’s links as early as the day after the flight. The team says investigations are continuing into potential contacts.
The co‑pilot was previously barred from flying by Oman’s national carrier, Oman Air, after concerns over his extremist attitudes. He later joined Flydubai after standard security checks that did not flag radical sympathies.
Implications for Aviation Security
The case highlights gaps in pre‑flight screening, especially for crews from countries without formal relations with destination states. Experts suggest tighter cooperation between civil aviation authorities and security services.
