Australia Opens Terror Probe Into FlyDubai Co-Pilot's Links
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Australian counterterrorism authorities have opened an investigation into the Australian connections of the FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attacking his captain and attempting to seize control of an Israel-bound passenger jet.
The probe adds an international dimension to an incident already being treated by Emirati authorities as an attempted terrorist attack and raises new questions about whether warning signs were missed across multiple countries.
Investigators in Australia , the United Arab Emirates and Israel are examining the suspect's background, travel history and possible motives as broader reviews of aviation security continue.
The development follows confirmation on Sunday that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, is examining the accused co-pilot's ties to Australia.
Sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters the accused co-pilot studied in Melbourne, and one source said he attended RMIT University about a decade ago.
RMIT referred Newsweek to a statement posted on its website after being approached via email. The statement reads, "The individual was enrolled at RMIT but did not successfully complete an engineering qualification. As this is an ongoing investigation, the University is unable to provide further comment."
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) told Newsweek , "The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT), comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, can confirm it is investigating the man's links to Australia.
"An update will be provided at an appropriate time."
Newsweek has reached out to the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), FlyDubai and Oman Air via email for comment.
Australian authorities said the counterterrorism investigation is focused on determining the nature and extent of the suspect's links to the country.
While officials have released few details, sources briefed on the matter told Reuters the co-pilot attended university in Melbourne, one of Australia's largest cities and a major destination for international students.
A third source said the suspect studied at RMIT University approximately 10 years ago. The university declined to comment. The investigation comes amid separate reporting by the Financial Times that the suspect allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites during his time in Australia. Reuters said it had not independently verified those claims, while Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any findings from the inquiry.
UAE authorities and FlyDubai have not publicly identified the co-pilot. Several news outlets, including NBC News, have identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, citing officials briefed on the investigation.
Australian authorities have not accused the suspect of committing any crimes in Australia. Instead, investigators appear focused on understanding whether his reported time in the country may provide clues about his background, ideological influences or network of contacts.
The investigation stems from an incident aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai for Tel Aviv on Wednesday carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli nationals. UAE prosecutors have described the episode as an attempted terrorist attack.
According to UAE authorities, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe inside the cockpit before attempting to gain control of the aircraft. The attack reportedly triggered a dramatic descent in which the Boeing aircraft plunged roughly 16,000 to 17,000 feet in less than a minute.
Disaster was avoided after the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to rush in and overpower the attacker. A reserve FlyDubai pilot who was traveling on the flight then assumed control of the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain later recalled from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi that he realized the aircraft was descending rapidly while fighting for control. He said he acted to save both himself and the passengers on board, ultimately enabling others to intervene.
The suspect was initially detained in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to UAE custody, where investigators continue to examine the incident.
No formal charges have been publicly announced yet.
As investigators work to determine a motive, reports from several outlets have pointed to prior concerns over the suspect's alleged extremist views. According to Associated Press reporting based on unnamed officials, Omani authorities had previously barred him from flying because of concerns related to extremist beliefs.
One official told the AP the suspect had been reassigned to an administrative role at Oman Air rather than operating commercial flights. ABC News reported, citing sources briefed on the investigation, that investigators found materials they considered extremist during pilot training in 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalization, though he did not publicly present evidence supporting that claim.
The UAE has likewise characterized the event as a terrorist attack but has not identified any organization or group allegedly connected to the suspect.
U.S. officials briefed on the investigation told NBC News that early findings suggest the accused attacker may have acted alone.
Former Israeli security official Shalom Ben Hanan described the preliminary assessment as consistent with a "lone wolf" style attack allegedly inspired by online extremist content, while cautioning that the investigation remains in its early stages.
The incident has sparked growing debate over aviation security…
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