FlyDubai attack suspect had been previously banned from flying for radical views, tell me about this news today

Investigations into the cockpit attack aboard a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv have revealed that the suspect, identified as Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, had previously been barred from commercial flying in Oman due to extremist ideological views.

Reports from regional and international outlets highlight several key details:

• Prior Dismissal and Bans: While undergoing pilot training with national carrier Oman Air, al-Hammami was flagged by Omani surveillance for visiting radical websites and allegedly possessing extremist materials. Omani authorities determined he harbored radical Islamist views, banned him from flying, and reassigned him to a ground-based desk role. He subsequently resigned from the airline.

  The Standard (HK)+ 2

• Intelligence Gaps and Hiring: Following his departure from Oman Air around 2024 and a brief stint at Royal Air Maroc, al-Hammami was hired by FlyDubai. Security sources noted that FlyDubai did not vet him through Omani government channels, and Oman’s domestic security flags had not been transmitted to shared international civil aviation registries.

  CBS News+ 1

• The In-Flight Attack: During the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, al-Hammami attacked the aircraft’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with a sharp weapon and attempted to crash the airliner, causing the plane to drop sharply. Despite severe stab wounds, Captain Machchhar fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and cabin crew to rush in, subdue the co-pilot, and divert safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

  The Standard (HK)

• Current Status: Saudi security forces took the suspect into custody upon landing. FlyDubai has suspended flights on the Dubai–Tel Aviv corridor, while international aviation and security authorities conduct broader inquiries into pilot vetting procedures and cross-border security information sharing.

  The Guardian