Passengers and crew intervened to prevent the co-pilot from taking control of the flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The attempted hijacking reportedly involved the use of a crash axe, resulting in the pilot sustaining a stab wound while in the air.
Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, was identified as the co-pilot involved in the incident. Following the event, the airline has suspended all services operating between Dubai and Tel Aviv until further notice.
The Omani co-pilot and the flight's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, were subsequently transported to the UAE. Authorities from Israel are participating in the ongoing investigation into the matter.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT), which includes the AFP, Victoria Police, and ASIO, is currently investigating the co-pilot's connections to Australia. Records show the co-pilot had spent approximately two years studying in Australia.
He initially received an Australian student visa in 2014. The man departed Australia in 2017.
In 2019, the co-pilot's visa was cancelled after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled in his course.
