Australian police probe FlyDubai co-pilot's ties to Melbourne university

Maren Kovacs. (2026, October 4). Australian police probe FlyDubai co-pilot's ties to Melbourne university. Dateline Wire. https://www.datelinewire.com/news/flydubai-copilot-melbourne-probe/

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  author  = "Maren Kovacs",\n  title   = "Australian police probe FlyDubai co-pilot\'s ties to Melbourne university",\n  journal = "Dateline Wire",\n  year    = 2026,\n  url     = "https://www.datelinewire.com/news/flydubai-copilot-melbourne-probe/"\n}

[Australian police probe FlyDubai co-pilot's ties to Melbourne university](https://www.datelinewire.com/news/flydubai-copilot-melbourne-probe/) — *Dateline Wire* (2026). Corroborated multi-source report.

Australian police probe co-pilot’s Melbourne university links

Australian counterterrorism authorities are investigating the alleged connections between a Flydubai co-pilot and the country, focusing on his time at a Melbourne university and potential radicalization. The co-pilot, identified in media reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, is accused of attacking the pilot with an axe during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, a multi-agency police and intelligence unit, is leading the probe into his background and activities in Australia. The co-pilot’s alleged ties to Melbourne emerged as a critical focus of the investigation. According to reports, he studied at RMIT University, a public research institution in the city, around a decade ago. A third unnamed source cited by Reuters confirmed the university connection, though RMIT has not commented on the matter. The Financial Times reported that al-Hammami had allegedly visited "radical mosques and extremist websites" while in Australia, citing two sources familiar with the investigation. Australian intelligence services reportedly held a file on him, though no official confirmation has been released.

Flight incident sparks security concerns

The incident occurred on 30 September when Flight FZ1073, bound for Israel, was diverted to Saudi Arabia after passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot. The plane, carrying over 170 passengers and crew, plunged 16,000 to 17,000 feet in a matter of seconds before a reserve pilot took control and landed safely. The UAE prosecutor general labeled the attack an "attempted terrorist act," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the co-pilot as having undergone "radical Islamist indoctrination" and being "clearly suicidal." The co-pilot’s ability to secure a cockpit position has raised questions about aviation security protocols. Israeli officials noted that Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and Netanyahu claimed a "loophole" allowed the Omani pilot to operate the flight. The UAE has not yet disclosed the co-pilot’s identity or confirmed whether he acted alone. Oman has not commented on the incident, and the UAE has not announced formal charges against him.

Detail	Information
Co-pilot’s name	Hamam al-Hammami (Omani national)
University in Australia	RMIT University, Melbourne (studied ~10 years ago)
Student visa status	Cancelled in 2019 after leaving the course
Flight details	Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; emergency landing in Saudi Arabia
Incident timeline	Attack occurred 2.5 hours into flight; plane plunged 16,000–17,000 feet

Radicalization allegations and unanswered questions

Australian intelligence agencies are examining whether al-Hammami was radicalized during his time in the country. The Financial Times reported that he allegedly visited "radical mosques and extremist websites," though this claim has not been independently verified. The UAE prosecutor general has not yet established a motive for the attack, and the co-pilot’s legal representation remains unclear. The incident has also drawn scrutiny over the co-pilot’s employment history. Prior to joining Flydubai, he was reportedly removed from flight training at Oman Air due to concerns over "extremist views." He later enrolled in a distance-learning course with Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, graduating in 2023 with a degree in aviation management. The university confirmed he did not undergo pilot training there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the co-pilot under investigation?

The co-pilot is identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. He is accused of attacking the pilot with an axe during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Which Australian university did he attend?

Al-Hammami is reported to have studied at RMIT University in Melbourne around a decade ago. A third source confirmed the university connection, though RMIT has not commented on the matter.

What is the focus of the Australian investigation?

Australian authorities are examining the co-pilot’s alleged ties to the country, including his time at Melbourne university and potential radicalization. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team is leading the probe into his background and activities in Australia.

Next steps and unresolved questions

The investigation into al-Hammami’s background and actions remains ongoing, with Australian intelligence agencies and international officials scrutinizing his movements and affiliations. The UAE has not yet released a full report on the incident, and the co-pilot’s legal status is unclear. Israeli and UAE officials have emphasized the need to strengthen aviation security measures, particularly regarding pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel. As the probe progresses, questions about the co-pilot’s radicalization, the role of Australian institutions, and the effectiveness of international aviation protocols will likely dominate the narrative.