The co-pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack and crash a Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv had earlier been stopped from flying in Oman due to concerns over extremist views, according to reports.
The suspect has been identified as Hamam Alhamami, an Omani citizen who reportedly worked as a trainee co-pilot with Oman Air in 2024 before security concerns led to his removal.
Multiple international outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and CNN, reported that Omani aviation authorities barred him from flying after detecting radical ideology. Despite this, he was later recruited by UAE-based carrier Flydubai about a year ago.
It is still unclear what vetting or security checks were carried out during his hiring process and whether Oman’s concerns were shared with other airlines or authorities.
Reports further allege that Alhamami had spent considerable time outside Oman, particularly in Syria, where he was said to have been exposed to extremist teachings and indoctrinated into al-Qaeda ideology.
The incident occurred on a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight carrying 182 passengers and crew, when Alhamami allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to lose about 16,000 feet in two minutes.
The attempt was foiled after the captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling other crew members to subdue the suspect. The plane was safely diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Authorities in the UAE have launched a full investigation into the attack, which is being treated as an attempted act of terrorism.
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