RismadarVoice Reporters
October 3, 2026
The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai flight bound for Israel had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views, according to multiple reports.
The suspect has been identified in the reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, whose background has come under scrutiny following Wednesday’s incident aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
The aircraft was reportedly forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain during the flight.
Reports said the captain was able to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene and restrain the suspect. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Saudi Arabia, with no passenger injuries reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that the suspect had undergone extremist indoctrination and attempted to crash the aircraft. The allegation remains part of the accounts surrounding the incident and has not been independently established.
Separate reports citing people familiar with the investigation said Omani authorities had previously restricted al-Hammami from flying because of concerns about his alleged ideological views.
Other accounts said he had been removed from a position with Oman’s national airline in 2025 over similar concerns.
Additional reports alleged that the co-pilot had previously spent time in Syria and that authorities were examining whether he had been exposed to extremist influences while there.
Some accounts also alleged that extremist materials had been discovered in his possession while he was still undergoing aviation training.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, including the suspect’s background, employment history and possible motive.
The claims concerning his previous flying restrictions, alleged ideological views and activities before joining flydubai remain allegations reported by media organisations and officials familiar with the matter. They have not all been independently confirmed.
Investigators have yet to announce their final findings on the incident.
