Flydubai co-pilot who attacked Smit Machchhar to carry out a terrorist attack studied at a UK university: Report

The Flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and carry out a terrorist attack studied at a UK university. Omani national Hamam al Hammami reportedly attacked the captain before being overpowered. Investigations are underway into his motive and possible extremist links.

Omani national Hamam al Hammami, the Flydubai pilot who allegedly tried to carry out a terrorist attack by nearly crashing a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, had completed a course at a UK university.

Buckinghamshire New University's spokesperson, in a statement, said: "Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident," and added, "Hamam al Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University," Sky News reported.

The latest development comes as investigations into the Omani pilot gather pace, with fresh details emerging every day.

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

The attempted terrorist attack was led by co-pilot Hamam al Hammami, who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe while trying to take control of the aircraft, aiming to crash it during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

Hamam al Hammami was banned from flying in Oman due to concerns that he had adopted extremist views prior to being hired by Flydubai.

Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door amid the attack, allowing crew and passengers to intervene, which helped stabilize the aircraft and prevent a potential catastrophe.

The aircraft, after losing more than 17,000 feet of altitude due to the attack, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where crew members and off-duty pilots assisted in safely bringing it down.

Investigators are examining whether Hamam al Hammami acted as a lone wolf or if he had connections to extremist groups, along with determining the motive behind the incident.

What we know about Hamam al Hammami

Hamad Saif al Shamsi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s prosecutor general, said Hamam al Hammami attacked Smit Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit and tried to take control of the aircraft to commit a "terrorist attack".

According to AP, Al Hammami, who was born in the UAE and has a Syrian mother, was banned from flying by Oman over fears that he had adopted extremist views before he was hired by the UAE-based airline.

Citing a source, the report added that investigations were underway to determine whether Al Hammami acted as a "lone wolf" or had any connection to an extremist group. Investigators are also trying to determine the motive behind the incident and the circumstances that led to Al Hammami nearly crashing the flight with Israelis on board.

Flydubai pilot averted terrorist attack, hailed as a hero

Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of the Tel Aviv-bound flight, is being hailed as a hero and lauded for his extraordinary courage after he fought to open the cockpit door when Al Hammami stabbed him in mid-air. The deputy leader of the UAE visited Machchhar in the hospital. In a post on X, Hamdan bin Mohammed posted a series of pictures of himself with the Flydubai captain as he was being treated for his injuries.

The UAE deputy leader noted that Capt Machchhar's actions "embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life", adding that the pilot was "part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for".

Crediting Machchhar for preventing a catastrophe, UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash on Friday called the incident a "terrorist attack".

In a video message released on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination", and it appeared "very likely that he was going to down the plane." He added, "We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price."

Further, US President Donald Trump told reporters that early information he received had suggested links between the Flydubai attack and Iran, warning Tehran that if Iranian agents were to blame, the US would "hit them very hard."

Flydubai attack details

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. Flight-tracking data showed the plane losing more than 17,000 feet of altitude before the situation was brought under control. The aircraft also sent an emergency signal at 1:32 am ET (11:02 am IST).

The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing at a civilian and military base.

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.

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