Flydubai Hijacker Trained as Pilot in UK and New Zealand
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The terrorist who attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight to Israel, Hammam Al-Hamami, received flight training in the UK and New Zealand between 2018 and 2019. He trained at L3 Airline Academy, which had facilities in both countries. The flight school and its successor, Acron Aviation, stated they would cooperate with the investigation into the incident. Al-Hamami was previously employed by Oman Air.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Terrorist Hammam Al-Hamami trained as a pilot in the UK and New Zealand.
- Al-Hamami received training at the L3 Airline Academy between 2018 and 2019.
- New Zealand police confirmed Al-Hamami held a student visa for flight training.
- The training program involved studies in both the UK and New Zealand.
- Acron Aviation, successor to L3, pledged full cooperation with investigators.
- Al-Hamami was formerly employed by Oman Air until February 2025.
The terrorist who attempted to hijack a Flydubai flight to Israel, Hammam Al-Hamami, received professional flight training in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, according to a report by The Telegraph. Between 2018 and 2019, Al-Hamami trained at L3 Airline Academy, then one of Britain's largest flight schools, which had training centers in Southampton and Bournemouth, as well as a simulator facility near Gatwick Airport. The report emphasized that there is no allegation of wrongdoing by L3 Airline Academy or its successor, Acron Aviation. Acron stated it would fully cooperate with authorities investigating the incident.
Al-Hamami's aviation training also included a period in New Zealand. New Zealand police confirmed he held a six-month student visa for flight training from November 2018 to May 2019, issued for a UK-based company that no longer operates there. During that time, L3 Airline Academy ran a program combining UK training with practical flight instruction in Hamilton, New Zealand. Students could complete theoretical ground studies in Southampton, fly to New Zealand for basic practical training, and then return to the UK for advanced instruction.
The Telegraph also noted L3's past ties to Oman Air, where Al-Hamami was employed until February 2025. Oman Air had previously listed the flight school as one of five recognized international training institutions whose graduates could be considered for its pilot recruitment program. Acron Aviation declined to confirm if Al-Hamami was a former student, citing privacy policies, but pledged full cooperation with authorities.
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