CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound flight with an ax and attempting to seize control was identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national who had been barred from flying on his country's airline due to concerns about extremist views, officials reported on Saturday.
The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, stated that the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit's crash ax and tried to take control of the flight, which had 182 people on board, in what has been described as a "terrorist attack" on Wednesday. Passengers and crew intervened to subdue him, preventing a potential crash.
The incident has raised questions about FlyDubai's employee vetting processes and how the co-pilot was allowed to operate a flight with Israeli passengers despite Israel's strict security protocols. Israel maintains agreements with foreign carriers to prevent pilots from nations without diplomatic ties from flying into the country, and Israel and Oman do not have formal diplomatic relations. The UAE government has previously faced criticism regarding security lapses despite its reputation for effective counter-extremism measures.
The attack occurred shortly before the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and just weeks ahead of a contentious election in Israel where security issues are central.
A regional official and another source familiar with the investigation indicated that al-Hammami had been barred from flying by Oman due to concerns about his extremist views and was reassigned to an administrative role at Oman Air. The co-pilot was later hired by FlyDubai, although it is unclear how thoroughly he was vetted. A Gulf diplomat noted that standard security checks were conducted, focusing primarily on any criminal convictions rather than deeper background checks for signs of radicalization.
Security agencies from four regional countries are working with the United States and other Western governments to determine the co-pilot's motives, with no connections to militant groups found thus far, suggesting he acted independently. The co-pilot was born in the UAE, with a Syrian mother and Omani nationality from his father. He had reportedly traveled to Syria, but details remain unclear.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radicalization," although no evidence was provided. FlyDubai acknowledged the ongoing investigation but refrained from further comments. Oman Air has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
In a statement, Royal Air Maroc, Morocco's national carrier, mentioned that the co-pilot had completed a three-month theoretical training period in 2025 but was not selected for employment afterward. Additionally, a spokesperson from Buckinghamshire New University in England confirmed that al-Hammami completed a distance-learning course in aviation management but did not receive pilot training.
Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation security, commented on the limitations of background checks in aviation security, emphasizing the need for robust systems while recognizing the challenges of cross-border information sharing.
The captain, who sustained serious injuries, reported that he used his remaining strength during the attack to unlock the cockpit door, allowing others to assist in subduing the co-pilot. Netanyahu praised the captain's bravery in a phone call, acknowledging his efforts to save lives during the incident.
The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after experiencing a severe descent, and experts noted the remarkable outcome of avoiding a crash. The captain and co-pilot were subsequently taken to the UAE, while the passengers, primarily Israeli, returned home on a separate flight.