NZ Probes Flydubai Co-Pilot Linked to Hijacking Attempt

The Cliff News | 7 October 2026

New Zealand authorities have initiated their own investigation into the flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, 29, who is accused of attempting to hijack an Israel-bound plane on September 30. The Omani national allegedly used a crash axe in the mid-air incident, which was narrowly averted thanks to the intervention of passengers and crew. The pilot sustained stab wounds during the alleged terrorist attack.

The investigation by New Zealand police aims to piece together Hammami's activities and intentions during his stay in the country. Police confirmed that Hammami was in New Zealand on a student visa for 175 days, from November 30, 2018, to May 23, 2019. During this period, he underwent a portion of his flight training for a UK-based company that is no longer operating in New Zealand.

International Investigations Underway

New Zealand's inquiry joins a growing list of countries actively investigating Hammami's background. Australian security agencies launched their own probe over the weekend after it was revealed that Hammami spent approximately two years in Australia as a student until 2017. RMIT University in Melbourne confirmed that he left the country without completing his engineering degree.

A now-deleted social media profile, believed to belong to Hammami, showed him with other young individuals in a Melbourne shopping centre food court. Further details emerged from a now-deleted X account, reportedly linked to Hammami, where he described his years studying overseas as "the golden years of my religious commitment." He also claimed to have become less observant after returning to Oman.

Concerns Over Extremist Influences

In response to the revelations, Australia's peak Jewish body, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, has called for a comprehensive investigation into Hammami's associations within the country. Alex Ryvchin, the council's co-chief executive, stated that there needs to be an understanding of who influenced Hammami and the extent of any extremist ideology he may have harboured.

"We have seen over the years the availability of extremist literature in religious bookstores, the presence of preachers of hate and violence and the capacity for those living in Australia to fall under the sway of recruiters and nefarious street preachers," Ryvchin said in a statement. "We have to understand who associated with this [alleged] terrorist, who influenced him and what vestiges of his murderous ideology remain."

Captain's Account of the Attack

The flight's captain, Smit Machchhar, who also trained in New Zealand, recounted the harrowing experience. Shortly after Hammami left his seat to pray, Machchhar felt a severe blow to the back of his head. The attacks continued, leading the captain to realize the threat was not from the aircraft but from his co-pilot.

Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit's security door, allowing other passengers to overpower Hammami. A reserve flydubai pilot, who was travelling as a passenger, took control of the aircraft and safely landed it at a regional airport in north-western Saudi Arabia, where Hammami was subsequently detained by Saudi authorities.

Background of the Alleged Hijacking

The incident occurred on a flight bound for Tel Aviv with 182 people on board. United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general stated that Hammami allegedly used a crash axe during the attempted hijacking. Israeli and regional officials suspect that Hammami may have originally planned the attack for July but postponed it.

The investigation in New Zealand is a crucial step in understanding the co-pilot's journey and any potential radicalization that may have occurred during his flight training abroad. Authorities are working to establish if Hammami acted alone or if there were any accomplices or external influences behind his alleged actions.