Flydubai co-pilot lost earlier job for dabbling in extremism

The fact an Omani pilot had been on board a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft has already raised concerns about a security loophole because Israel and Oman don't have formal diplomatic ties. | REUTERS

Oct 5, 2026

The co-pilot who assaulted the commanding captain on the Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv from Dubai previously flew aircraft for Oman Air before he was dismissed for engaging with what were considered radical views, according to people familiar with the situation.

Hamam al-Hammami, 29, had earlier been identified by the Israeli government as an Omani citizen, but his exact name, age and work history weren’t disclosed until this weekend. Saudi investigators have said the two pilots from Flight FZ1073 were transferred to Abu Dhabi, though little else is known about the state of the investigation.

On Saturday, investigators in the United Arab Emirates said the co-pilot attempted “to carry out a terrorist act” by attacking his colleague with a crash ax, a tool stored in the cockpit for emergencies, and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

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