Omani co-pilot’s plot to crash Israel-bound Flydubai flight foiled
The co-pilot of the FlyDubai plane who allegedly attacked the plane’s captain and attempted to crash a flight bound for Israel on Wednesday is an Omani national who was previously suspended from flying by Oman Air after being identified as a security risk, according to senior intelligence and law enforcement officials.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation identified the suspected attacker as 29-year-old Hamam Al Hammami.
While working as a co-pilot trainee for Oman Air in 2024, was found to be in possession of extremist materials. The suspect was allowed to continue working for the airline in an administrative role, the sources said.
Officials investigating the incident are still trying to determine how the suspected attacker was subsequently permitted to fly for FlyDubai and how he ended up as the first officer in the cockpit of a plane headed for Israel, the sources said.
Al Hammami — who was transferred Thursday from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates — is said to be “cooperating” with authorities investigating the incident and has indicated that his intent was to crash the aircraft in Israel, according to sources briefed on the investigation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said that the suspected attacker, who he didn’t name, had undergone “Islamist radicalization.”
“He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office. “We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.”
Hamam Alhamami spent most of his time outside Oman, particularly in Syria, where he was allegedly influenced by extremist ideas. He then travelled to the UAE.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam Alhammami – an Omani citizen born in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to an Omani father and Syrian mothervv
