Flydubai co‑pilot with British university degree linked to axe attack
The Omani co‑pilot who used a crash axe on a Dubai‑Tel Aviv flight earned a distance‑learning degree from a UK university, which says it offered no flight training.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Flydubai co‑pilot Hamam al‑Hammami, 29, is identified as the suspect in the axe attack on a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight, according to two reports from the Independent.
What happened
Two hours into the flight on 30 September 2026, al‑Hammami used a crash axe to assault captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit. Passengers subdued the attacker and the aircraft diverted safely to Tabz, Saudi Arabia, where all 174 passengers and crew survived.
What the reports add
- Al‑Hammami earned a distance‑learning aviation management degree from Buckinghamshire New University in 2023; the university said the qualification involved no practical flight training and that he did not undertake pilot training there.
- He is an Omani national born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother.
- Omani authorities banned him from flying in 2025 because of “radical views,” and after his detention he allegedly told investigators he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said intelligence services were probing whether al‑Hammami acted alone or under external direction, warning that any accomplices would pay a “heavy price.”
- Former U.S. diplomats and regional analysts suggested the attack might have been aimed at undermining the 2020 Abraham Accords.
- Oman Air had removed al‑Hammami from flight duties after discovering extremist material on his devices; he was later transferred to an administrative desk job, briefly trained with Royal Air Maroc (which rejected him), and was hired by Flydubai eight months before the incident.
What was said
“Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident. Hamam al‑Hammami previously completed a distance‑learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University.”
The statement was given by a Buckinghamshire New University spokesperson to the Press Association and reported by the Independent.
“Accomplices will pay a heavy price.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters, as cited by Reuters and reproduced in the Independent.
How it came about
Felo News previously reported on the incident, identifying al‑Hammami as the Omani co‑pilot and describing the diversion to Tabuk (flydubai‑cockpit‑axe‑attack‑omanian‑co‑pilot). Earlier articles covered the captain’s heroism (flydubai‑pilot‑hero‑diversion) and his subsequent interview (flydubai‑pilot‑smit‑machchhar‑interview). The new detail about al‑Hammami’s UK education adds a layer to the investigation into whether he acted alone or was linked to an extremist network.
Key facts
- Hamam al‑Hammami earned a distance‑learning aviation management degree from Buckinghamshire New University in 2023. (independent.co.uk)
- The university said the qualification involved no practical flight training. (independent.co.uk)
- Al‑Hammami, an Omani national, was banned from flying by Omani authorities in 2025 for radical views. (independent.co.uk)
- He used a crash axe to attack the captain on Flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 Sept 2026. (independent.co.uk)
- All 174 passengers and crew survived after the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2025-01-01 — Omani authorities banned al‑Hammami from flying due to radical views.
- 2026-09-30 — Axe attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073; aircraft diverted to Tabuk.
- 2026-10-01 — Captain Smit Machchhar hailed as hero; passengers praised for subduing attacker.
Why it matters
The link between the suspect’s extremist background and a UK distance‑learning programme raises questions about vetting of aviation students.
What happens next
UAE and Israeli investigators are interviewing al‑Hammami; authorities are assessing whether he acted alone or as part of a network.
What we don't know yet
- Exact time the flight departed Dubai
- Details of any legal charges filed against al‑Hammami
