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Flydubai Pilot's Extremist Past Exposed: Barred in Oman, Hired Anyway
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News18•03-10-2026, 14:39
Flydubai Pilot's Extremist Past Exposed: Barred in Oman, Hired Anyway
- •Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, accused of attacking the captain, was previously barred from flying in Oman due to extremist views.
- •The September 30 cockpit incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying over 170 people, is described by the UAE prosecutor general as an attempted terrorist attack.
- •Al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe, attempting to take control of the aircraft, leading to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Reports indicate al-Hammami was found with extremist material while a trainee for Oman Air in 2024, raising questions about Flydubai's recruitment and security screening.
- •Investigators are probing the attack's circumstances, al-Hammami's motives, potential connections, and whether he acted alone, highlighting wider aviation security concerns.
Key Questions Answered
The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft during flight FZ1073. The flight was carrying more than 170 people and was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Hamam al-Hammami was barred from flying in Oman amid concerns over extremist views after being found with extremist material while working as a trainee for Oman Air in 2024.
The UAE prosecutor general described the September 30 cockpit incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
