Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Previously Been Removed From Oman Air Role Over Extremism Concerns: CNN

NEW YORK, Oct 3: The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv had previously been removed from a role at Oman’s national airline following concerns about his alleged extremist views, according to CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The pilot was identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen, also identified by Saudi state media and an Israeli official. CNN reported that al-Hammami was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother and had spent several years in the UAE. A LinkedIn profile under his name, which has since been deleted, indicated that he worked at Oman Air for about seven years before leaving in February 2025, and later listed employment with Royal Air Maroc from June 2025 to January 2026; however, Royal Air Maroc has reportedly said he underwent only theoretical training there and did not fly for the airline.

According to a regional diplomat cited by CNN, al-Hammami was removed from flight training at Oman Air because of concerns over his alleged radical views and was subsequently assigned another role within the airline. The claims have not been publicly confirmed by Oman Air, while CNN said it contacted Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc and the Dubai government for comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately said the suspect was believed to have undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination,” although CNN previously reported that investigators had not publicly established a motive.

The revelations could intensify scrutiny of the vetting process used to recruit pilots after the September 30 Flydubai FZ1073 incident, in which al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit while the aircraft was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers, crew members and reserve pilots helped regain control. Reuters reported that the suspect was detained in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to the UAE, where Emirati and Israeli officials are investigating whether the incident involved terrorism or premeditated planning.