Flydubai co-pilot identified; was barred from flying in Oman over 'extremist views'

Oman-based co-pilot Hamam Alhamami has been identified as the individual accused of assaulting Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Reports indicate that Alhamami had been barred from flying within Oman due to his extremist views, leading to his departure from the country. He reportedly spent considerable time in Syria, where he allegedly encountered extremist ideologies prior to traveling to the United Arab Emirates.

Following the September 30 incident, Alhamami was removed from his position at Oman Air, the national airline, due to concerns about his radical beliefs, although he later secured another role with the airline, according to a regional diplomatic source. Investigations have uncovered pro-Palestinian materials among his belongings, including leaflets and publications from "Free Palestine" groups, which have fueled suspicions of his Islamic radicalization and potential terrorist motivations.

The Omani authorities are probing the clearance process that allowed Alhamami, an Omani citizen, to serve on the flight despite his extremist convictions. Several Israeli agencies, including Shin Bet, Mossad, the military, and the Transportation Ministry, are examining the circumstances surrounding Alhamami's involvement on the Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight.

Alhamami, an Omani national born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother, has been employed by Flydubai for merely eight months, previously working for Royal Air Maroc, Morocco's national carrier. He is currently under investigation for potential terrorism activities in the UAE.