On 30 September a Flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv was thrust into chaos when the co‑pilot, Hamam al‑Hammami, assaulted the captain with a crash axe. The violent episode caused the plane to lose altitude, prompting the captain and two reserve pilots to work in unison to regain command.
In an emergency, the aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the co‑pilot was immediately arrested and is now in custody. The incident has forced aviation officials in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel to collaborate closely in investigating the event.
The Australian Federal Police have opened a formal probe into al‑Hammami’s connection to Australia, citing reports that he held a student visa from 2015‑2017 and had previously studied there. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation notes that his visa was cancelled in 2019 after he left university, a development that has raised questions about whether he was radicalised while in the country.
Al‑Hammami’s background also includes a period of employment with Oman Air. According to US media, he was removed from flight training because of concerns over his extremist views. He was later assigned to a non‑piloting role within the airline.
The co‑pilot was also enrolled in a distance‑learning program at Buckinghamshire New University, where he graduated in 2023 with a degree in aviation management, though he received no pilot training from the institution.
The interviews and investigations are ongoing. The Australian authorities have pledged to provide updates when appropriate, and counter‑terrorism officials are evaluating the potential for broader security implications.
