Flydubai Attack: In the latest development in the Flydubai flight incident, in which the Omani co-pilot, who is accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with a sharp weapon aboard the flight to Tel Aviv in a terror-driven attempt to bring down the aircraft, has been identified as Hamam Alhamami, Al Arabiya English reported. The report, citing sources, stated that the accused Omani co-pilot was prevented from flying in Oman due to concerns over his extremist views. Alhamami spent most of his time in Syria, where he was, as per the report, influenced by extremist ideas before travelling to the UAE.
Omani Co-Pilot Was Removed From Training At Oman’s National Airline
According to a report by CNN, Hamam Alhamami had been fired from his earlier job at Oman’s national airline in 2025 over his extremist views. A regional diplomatic source familiar with the matter told CNN that he was removed from the training due to his radical and extremist views. However, he was given another role at the airline.
Another source told CNN that the suspect was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother and had spent several years of his life in the UAE.
CNN reported that the suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft landed, to the UAE, where he faces a terrorism investigation.
Israeli Agencies Probe How Omani Pilot Joined Tel Aviv Flight Crew
An Israeli official told CNN that the suspect had worked for Flydubai for only eight months, while a third source said he had previously worked for Royal Air Maroc.
The reports have also raised questions over how an Omani citizen was permitted to serve as a pilot on a flight to Tel Aviv, given that Oman does not recognise Israel.
An Israeli official told CNN that several Israeli agencies, including Shin Bet, Mossad, the military and the Transportation Ministry, were investigating how the Omani pilot came to be part of the flight crew.
Earlier, i24 News reported, citing an Emirati source, that leaflets and publications from “Free Palestine” groups, along with pro-Palestinian material, were found among the belongings of the Omani co-pilot.
Pilot’s Alleged Radicalisation, Nationality Under Investigation
According to i24 News, the pilot had repeatedly expressed support for the Palestinians and hostility towards Israel. The report said this was being examined as part of a broader investigation into his alleged Islamic radicalisation and possible terrorist motives.
Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post, citing sources close to the investigation, reported that the Omani co-pilot did not hold any second nationality.
The report also raised questions over how a national of a country without diplomatic relations with Israel was cleared to fly the route.
The Flydubai Incident
The incident took place on September 30 aboard a Flydubai flight, bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai. During the flight, the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar inside the cockpit with a sharp object and tried to crash the aircraft.
The aircraft dropped approx 16,000 feet within two minutes of the confrontation. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker.
Two non-duty pilots helped assume control of the aircraft and carried out an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk.
(with ANI inputs)
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