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UAE says flydubai attack was terrorist act as Australia probes co-pilot's Victorian links

ASIO and AFP investigate how Omani suspect gained entry to Australia

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources6 outlets
The United Arab Emirates has described the attempted mid-air hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Israel as a terrorist attack, while Australian intelligence agencies investigate the co-pilot's ties to a Melbourne university. The Omani national, identified by media as Hammam al-Hammami, allegedly brandished an axe at the lead pilot before being subdued by passengers and off-duty crew.

The UAE's characterization, reported by Al Jazeera, marks a significant official designation of the incident. Al-Hammami, a flydubai co-pilot, is accused of attempting to take over the Boeing 737 during Flight FZ1073, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers and crew described a chaotic scene. According to witness accounts, the attack came close to killing all 174 people on board. The situation was resolved when passengers seized al-Hammami and two off-duty pilots stabilised the aircraft and landed at a regional Saudi airport.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed that the Victorian joint counterterrorism team, which includes ASIO and Victoria Police, is investigating al-Hammami's links to Australia. According to a now-deleted LinkedIn profile publicised by U.S. outlets ABC News and CNN, al-Hammami said he studied engineering at a Victorian university.

A source with knowledge of the inquiry, not authorised to speak on the record, said al-Hammami was granted a visa to study in Australia in 2014 and was in Melbourne from 2015 to 2017 before leaving the country. His visa expired in 2019. The source said there was no inference that the visa should have been revoked.

An AFP spokeswoman said further updates would be provided at an appropriate time. The investigation is ongoing.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The UAE's terrorism designation may trigger international security cooperation and raise aviation alert levels.
  • The Australian probe will examine how a trained pilot with apparent counterterrorism links studied in the country, potentially renewing scrutiny of visa vetting for aviation students.
  • Whether the suspect acted alone or in coordination remains unknown, with implications for global aviation security protocols.

Background

Attempted hijackings by pilots are rare but represent a critical insider threat. Since the September 11 attacks, cockpit doors have been reinforced, but a co-pilot already inside the flight deck poses unique vulnerabilities. The flight was en route to Israel, a nation that normalized ties with the UAE in 2020, adding a geopolitical dimension to the attack.

Key Perspectives

Australian authorities (AFP/ASIO): Focused on understanding how al-Hammami entered Australia and studied in Melbourne, whether any radicalisation occurred during his stay, and if any co-conspirators remain. UAE government: By quickly labelling the incident a terrorist attack, the UAE signals concern for its flagship carrier's reputation and aims to align international responses. Aviation security analysts: The case raises questions about how an axe entered the cockpit despite pre-flight screening, likely prompting reviews of crew procedures and access controls.

What to Watch

  • Whether the UAE or Oman formally request the suspect's extradition from Saudi Arabia.
  • Potential reform of Australian visa screening procedures for foreign nationals training in sensitive fields like aviation.
  • Outcome of the Saudi Arabian investigation, which will determine immediate jurisdictional proceedings.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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