Australia investigating Flydubai co-pilot's links to country

Australia's Investigation into Flydubai Co-Pilot's Links

Australian authorities are investigating the links between the country and a Flydubai co-pilot who attempted to take control of a plane travelling to Israel. The co-pilot, alleged to be Hamam al-Hammami, was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed its investigation into "the man's links to Australia", which involves state police and the country's security agency. According to the AFP, "The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, can confirm it is investigating the man’s links to Australia."

Incident on Flydubai Flight

The incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot attacked the pilot, Capt Smit Machchhar, with a crash axe. The plane plunged 17,000ft when the attack happened, and passengers managed to overpower the co-pilot and take control of the plane. The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities. Capt Smit Machchhar described how he was lying on the floor injured when he realised the plane was sinking and he had to act, explaining: "I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside", which allowed the passengers in.

Co-Pilot's Background

The co-pilot, alleged to be Hamam al-Hammami, is an Omani national. He was removed from flight training at Oman Air due to concerns over his radical views. He was given another role at Oman's national airline and later studied on a distance-learning course run by Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, graduating with a degree in aviation management in 2023. The university said he did not take any pilot training at the school.

Detail	Information
Student Visa	Issued in 2014
Study Period in Australia	2015-2017
Visa Cancellation	2019
Distance-Learning Course	2020-2023, Buckinghamshire New University
Degree	Aviation Management

Investigation and Aftermath

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the UAE's attorney general stating that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a "terrorist act". The Australian authorities have not identified the co-pilot, but multiple media outlets have named him as Hamam al-Hammami. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Capt Smit Machchhar as a "hero of the entire world" for his bravery during the incident. Netanyahu said he was "amazed" by Captain Machchhar's "courage and coolness of judgement under impossible conditions".

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on the Flydubai flight?

The co-pilot attacked the pilot with a crash axe, and passengers managed to overpower him and take control of the plane.

Where did the co-pilot study in Australia?

The co-pilot studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017, but the specific university or institution is not mentioned in the sources.

What is the current status of the investigation?

The investigation is ongoing, with the Australian authorities investigating the co-pilot's links to Australia and the UAE's attorney general stating that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a "terrorist act".

The investigation into the Flydubai co-pilot's links to Australia is ongoing, and the Australian authorities will provide an update at the appropriate time. The incident has raised concerns about the co-pilot's radicalisation and his links to Australia, and the investigation will look into whether the man was radicalised in Australia. The UAE's attorney general has stated that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a "terrorist act".