The co-pilot who attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv learned to fly at a pilot-training company in England, according to reports. Omani national Hamam Al Hammami, 29, severely wounded Captain Smit Machchhar with an onboard crash axe in his attempt to seize control of the plane. Passengers and crew grappled with Al Hammami, eventually regaining control of the aircraft after it plummeted 14,000 feet in just 29 seconds.
Al Hammami had previously worked as a trainee with Oman's national airline in 2024 but was removed from flying duties due to concerns he may have been influenced by radical groups during time spent in Syria. Officials noted that Al Hammami studied at a British university.
Reports indicate that Al Hammami undertook training with L3 Airline Academy, a pilot-training company in England that has since become part of Acron Aviation. The company has training facilities in Southampton, Bournemouth, and a simulator center near Gatwick. Acron Aviation declined to comment on whether Al Hammami was a student, stating, "We will, of course, assist the relevant authorities, if necessary, in any way we can as they investigate this incident."
While enrolled at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) for a distance-learning degree in aviation, Al Hammami reportedly posted on social media, seemingly encouraging violence towards women. The university confirmed Al Hammami did not undertake pilot training there and stated its aviation management courses focus on background operations, logistics, security, and management of the aviation industry. Al Hammami also reportedly studied engineering in Australia. He was born in the UAE, his mother is Syrian, and he obtained Omani nationality from his father.
US and Israeli intelligence agencies believe Al Hammami planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport or a Tel Aviv tower block. Sources told CBS News that the Israeli government was prepared to shoot down the plane to prevent an "Israeli 9/11." The Israeli Air Force attempted to contact the cockpit without success, and fighter jets were scrambled. Israel's airspace was closed as the jets approached, but they were recalled when the plane turned toward Saudi Arabia.
Had the flight continued on its path, maintaining radio silence and making no demands, it would have been classified as a rogue flight. Protocol dictates that such flights approaching Israel are shot down, a decision requiring the prime minister's approval. After the significant altitude loss, Captain Machchhar fought Al Hammami long enough for the cockpit door to be unlocked. Passengers and staff then overpowered the alleged attacker, allowing the plane to land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Posts made to a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Al Hammami, nine hours after the incident, reportedly featured clips from cockpits showing Israeli airline planes. One clip, geolocated to Dubai International Airport, showed a plane belonging to the Israeli airline El Al with the flight number OMA624 and the date October 11, 2023, which corresponds to a period when Al Hammami worked at Oman Air. Other clips showed El Al and Arkia planes. The profile reportedly ended with photos of Ayman al-Zawahiri and Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, and an AI-generated image of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem with a poem about rejecting humiliation and defending dignity.
On the day of the attack, BNU announced its license to sponsor international students had been suspended by the Home Office due to compliance concerns, though the Home Office stated this was unrelated to Al Hammami or the Flydubai attack.
The LinkedIn account, since deleted, indicated Al Hammami worked at Oman Air for seven years, leaving in February 2025, and joined Royal Air Maroc in June 2025 before departing in January 2026, with no mention of Flydubai. Royal Air Maroc confirmed Al Hammami completed training in 2025 but was rejected for employment. A Gulf diplomat confirmed Al Hammami underwent standard security checks before being hired by Flydubai, which focused on criminal convictions rather than signs of radicalization.