Australian University Confirms Flydubai Co-pilot Studied There

The Cliff News | 5 October 2026

An Australian university has confirmed that a flydubai co-pilot, identified in media reports as Hammam al-Hammami, was a former student at its Melbourne campus. The individual reportedly studied at RMIT University but did not complete his engineering qualification.

The confirmation from RMIT University comes as Australian federal police and multiple security agencies are investigating the alleged perpetrator's time in Australia. The co-pilot is accused of attempting to hijack a flight bound for Tel Aviv on September 30, an incident narrowly averted by passengers and crew.

Alleged Hijacking Attempt

The incident involved a flydubai flight with 182 people on board. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have stated that the co-pilot allegedly used a crash axe and stabbed the pilot during the mid-air incident, which they have termed a "terrorist attack." Media outlets have widely named the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

University Confirmation and Investigation

RMIT University released a statement on Monday acknowledging media reports concerning a former student allegedly involved in the flydubai flight incident. "The individual was enrolled at RMIT but did not successfully complete an engineering qualification," the university stated. They added that due to the ongoing investigation, they are unable to provide further comment.

Former RMIT engineering students contacted by Guardian Australia indicated they did not recall al-Hammami. The Australian federal police (AFP) announced on Sunday that various agencies were scrutinizing the man's period in Australia.

Timeline of Stay in Australia

A source familiar with the case, who remains unidentified as they are not authorized to speak publicly, revealed that the individual was granted an Australian student visa in 2014. He arrived in the country the following year to begin his university course. He departed Australia in 2017, and his visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled in his studies.

Multi-Agency Security Probe

The AFP confirmed on Sunday that multiple agencies, including the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), are actively investigating the man's connections to Australia. "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 AFP spokesperson stated. An update is promised "at an appropriate time."

Court records and previous media reports indicate that a number of Australians facing terror charges or suspected of Islamic extremism had studied at RMIT around the same period as al-Hammami. However, there is currently no indication that he knew any of these individuals.

Background and Other Educational Links

In related educational background, a British university, Buckinghamshire New University, confirmed that a student named Hamam al-Hammami had "previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management." The university clarified that he did not undertake any pilot training there.

A flydubai spokesperson stated on Saturday that the circumstances of the incident are still under investigation, and the airline is limited in its ability to comment further. The airline's flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv were suspended following the incident.

International Investigation and Co-pilot's Past

The Omani co-pilot and the flight's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, were taken to the UAE, which is leading the investigation. Officials have confirmed that several countries, including Israel, are participating in the probe. The Wall Street Journal reported that the co-pilot had previously been barred from flying by Oman due to concerns over extremist views. He was subsequently moved to an administrative role at Oman Air before being hired by flydubai.