Brief
Omani national Hamam al‑Hammami identified as co‑pilot in FlyDubai attack
Three sources say the suspected co‑pilot is an Omani national, while a Gaza hospital reports five deaths from overnight Israeli strikes.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The co‑pilot suspected of stabbing the captain of an Israel‑bound FlyDubai flight has been identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, an Omani national, three sources said. The same day a Gaza hospital reported five civilian deaths, including four women, from Israeli strikes.
What happened
On 30 September 2026, FlyDubai flight FZ1073 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co‑pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit. The aircraft, carrying 182 people, landed safely and all passengers survived. The co‑pilot was later barred from flying by Oman over concerns about extremist views.
What the reports add
Both Independent articles cite three unnamed sources – a Gulf diplomat, a Western diplomat and a person familiar with the investigation – who confirm the co‑pilot’s identity as Hamam al‑Hammami. The first article adds that the Gulf diplomat said investigators are determining whether he acted alone or had extremist links. The second article notes that Oman’s barring of the pilot was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and that it is unclear how he passed vetting by FlyDubai.
What was said
According to the Gulf diplomat, quoted in both reports, investigators are assessing if the co‑pilot acted as a “lone wolf or has any connection with any extremist groups.” The unnamed person familiar with the matter said Oman barred the pilot because of perceived extremist views.
How it came about
The incident follows a series of Felo News reports on the FlyDubai cockpit clash, including the diversion to Tabuk (flydubai-pilot-hero-diversion), the captain’s interview (flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-interview) and the subsequent award ceremony (smit-machchhar-award). The identification of the co‑pilot adds a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into security lapses that allowed a barred Omani national to be employed by FlyDubai.
Key facts
- The co‑pilot suspected of stabbing the FlyDubai captain has been identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, an Omani national. (independent.co.uk)
- Three sources, including a Gulf diplomat, said investigators are assessing whether the co‑pilot acted alone or had extremist links. (independent.co.uk)
- Shifa hospital in Gaza reported five civilian deaths, including four women, from overnight Israeli strikes. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-09-30 — FlyDubai flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk after cockpit attack.
- 2026-10-01 — Captain Smit Machchhar hailed as hero and airlifted to UAE.
- 2026-10-02 — Captain Machchhar gave interview about the incident.
