Omani Co-Pilot Accused of Attempting to Crash Flydubai Plane in Israel

American media outlets have identified the co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight bound for Israel as Hammam Al-Hammami, an Omani national born in the UAE to an Omani father and a Syrian mother. Sources close to the investigation indicate Al-Hammami confessed his intention was to crash the plane in Israel and is cooperating with UAE authorities. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full circumstances and any potential external connections.

Al-Hammami's professional history includes seven years with Oman Air before leaving in February 2025, followed by a brief stint with Royal Air Maroc from June to January 2026. His tenure at Flydubai began this year. Reports suggest that in 2024, while at Oman Air, Al-Hammami was found with "extremist materials" and temporarily suspended from flying duties, though he continued in an administrative role. It remains unclear if this information was shared with subsequent employers.

Further reports indicate Al-Hammami spent significant time in Syria, potentially influenced by extremist ideologies due to his mother's nationality. His LinkedIn profile, which has since been updated, reportedly featured posts with extremist religious content, including videos of Boeing 737 MAX cockpits, footage of an El Al Israeli Airlines plane, and images related to Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. One post concluded with a picture of former Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Al-Hammami also studied aviation management remotely at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, graduating in 2023. An earlier, now-deleted social media account also contained posts on strict religious interpretations. The UAE State Security agency is leading the investigation into Al-Hammami, who has been officially designated a suspect in a terrorist act. He allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the co-pilot's presence on a flight to Israel a "loophole." While initial speculation by then-US President Donald Trump suggested an Iranian link, sources now indicate no evidence connects Al-Hammami to Iran, and he may have acted alone. Flydubai stated it cannot provide further details as the investigation is ongoing.