New Zealand has launched its own investigation into the flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack a Tel Aviv-bound flight, after police confirmed he trained there about a year after abandoning a degree in Australia.
Key facts
- The alleged attempt to hijack a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv occurred on 30 September, with 182 people onboard.
- Passengers and crew intervened to stop the alleged attempt, averting disaster.
- The accused co-pilot is Hamam al-Hammami, 29.
- Al-Hammami spent 175 days in New Zealand until May 2019 and underwent flight training there.
- An Australian Jewish group has called for a full investigation into his time in Melbourne.
New Zealand authorities have launched their own investigation into the flydubai co-pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack an Israel-bound plane, according to the Guardian. Police confirmed that the co-pilot underwent flight training in New Zealand about a year after he abandoned a degree in Australia.
The alleged incident took place on 30 September aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv carrying 182 people. Disaster was narrowly averted when passengers and crew intervened to stop the alleged attempt by the co-pilot to take control of the aircraft, the Guardian reported.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, 29. According to the Guardian, al-Hammami spent 175 days in New Zealand until May 2019, a period that is now the focus of the New Zealand investigation.
The scrutiny of al-Hammami’s background has widened beyond the flight itself. An Australian Jewish group has called for a full investigation into his time in Melbourne, where he had previously been pursuing a degree before abandoning it.
The timeline reported by the Guardian indicates that al-Hammami left his studies in Australia and subsequently undertook flight training in New Zealand roughly a year later. The investigations across multiple countries reflect efforts to trace his movements and training history in the years before the alleged attack.
No further details about the outcome of the investigations or any charges have been provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
An attempted hijacking of a passenger flight raises serious questions about aviation security and how pilots are vetted and trained. The cross-border nature of the investigation underscores the challenge of tracking an individual's history across multiple countries.
Frequently asked questions
When did the alleged flydubai hijacking attempt happen?
According to the Guardian, the alleged attempt occurred on 30 September aboard a flight bound for Tel Aviv with 182 people onboard.
Who is the accused co-pilot?
The Guardian identifies him as Hamam al-Hammami, 29, who allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft.
Why is New Zealand involved in the investigation?
New Zealand authorities launched their own investigation after police confirmed al-Hammami underwent flight training there, spending 175 days in the country until May 2019.