New Zealand police confirmed that the co-pilot involved in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight to Israel had been in the country for training between November 2018 and May 2019, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The individual, identified as Hamam Alhamami, from Oman, was reportedly undergoing flight training with a UK-based company that no longer operates in New Zealand. The incident, classified as a “terrorist attack” by the UAE prosecutor’s office, occurred during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying 172 passengers, including 166 Israelis.
Did You Know? The co-pilot was in New Zealand on a six-month student visa from November 2018 to May 2019, as verified by immigration records, according to New Zealand police.
The attack involved the co-pilot using a emergency axe to assault the pilot, according to UAE authorities. The pilot, who survived the attack, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. The flight eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials have since joined the investigation, with reports indicating that four countries are collaborating on the case.
The incident also highlights gaps in cross-border security protocols, as Israeli officials noted they were unaware of the co-pilot’s background prior to the attack.
Israeli authorities have confirmed that the co-pilot, Hamam Alhamami, entered the country recently, though details about his prior employment or connections to Israeli flights remain under investigation. A joint investigation involving Australian counter-terrorism agencies is examining his potential links to Australia. Meanwhile, the UAE’s prosecutor’s office has labeled the attack an “act of terrorism,” citing the co-pilot’s alleged intent to crash the plane.
The incident has disrupted air travel between the UAE and Israel. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority reported that 37 flights were operated between Dubai and Tel Aviv since Friday, October 2, 2026, to repatriate stranded passengers. Israeli airlines have since resumed regular services, but officials emphasized that security coordination with Emirati authorities must improve. The flights transported 7,479 passengers, according to the authority, as part of efforts to resolve travel disruptions caused by the incident.
Israeli security officials admitted they were unaware of the co-pilot’s identity or background prior to the flight, despite the country’s strict airport screening protocols. This revelation came as part of a broader investigation into how the co-pilot, an Omani national with a Syrian mother, was able to board the aircraft. The pilot, an Indian national, survived the attack and later described the incident in a statement, including a translated account of the co-pilot’s actions: “A final push, Samit! Just do it,” a phrase attributed to the pilot during the cockpit confrontation, according to a report from CNN.
Who is Hamam Alhamami and what was the flight?
Who is Hamam Alhamami?
Hamam Alhamami is an Omani national identified as the co-pilot involved in the alleged attack on a Flydubai flight. Israeli officials confirmed his nationality, though his full background remains under investigation. He has an Omani father and a Syrian mother, according to reports.
What was the flight’s destination and passenger composition?
The flight, designated as Flydubai Flight FD1073, was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. It carried 172 passengers, including 166 Israelis and the crew, according to reports. The pilot, an Indian national, survived the attack.
What actions have been taken by authorities?
The UAE prosecutor’s office has classified the incident as an “act of terrorism.” Israeli and Australian authorities are conducting joint investigations, while the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has coordinated repatriation flights for stranded passengers. Four countries are involved in the probe, focusing on the co-pilot’s potential ties and security lapses.
What remains unclear is the co-pilot’s full motive and the extent of any external connections.
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