Flydubai Attacker Barred From Flying in Oman
CNN report says Hamam al-Hammami had faced concerns over his views before joining Flydubai
Dubai : The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv had previously been removed from a flight training role at Oman Air after concerns were raised about his extremist views, according to sources cited by CNN.
The pilot was identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen who was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother. He reportedly spent several years in the UAE before working for Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc and later Flydubai.
A regional diplomatic source told CNN that al-Hammami was taken out of flight training at Oman Air because of concerns over his views, but was later given another position at the airline.
The development has raised questions about how he was cleared to work on a flight to Israel, particularly as Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israeli authorities are investigating how he became part of the crew.
The investigation follows the September 30 attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073, in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The badly injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other pilots on board to intervene.
The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. UAE authorities are investigating whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning. Al-Hammami is now in UAE custody.
