{
  "id": 12036223,
  "title": "Flydubai co-pilot lost earlier job for dabbling in extremism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/flydubai-co-pilot-lost-earlier-job-for-dabbling-in-extremism",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/05/world/flydubai-co-pilot-extremism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Flydubai faced scrutiny over a recent incident on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot involved revealed a troubling past. Hamam al-Hammami, the 29-year-old co-pilot, had a history of dabbling in extremist views before his dismissal from Oman Air.\n\nAl-Hammami, who was initially identified by the Israeli government as an Omani citizen, had previously flown aircraft for Oman Air. However, he was dismissed from that airline after engaging with radical views, according to sources familiar with the situation.\n\nThe incident on Flight FZ1073, where the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act by assaulting the commanding captain with a crash ax, has raised questions about al-Hammami's background and potential radicalization. Saudi investigators have stated that both pilots from the flight were transferred to Abu Dhabi, but further details about the investigation remain scarce.",
  "summary": "The revelation about the co-pilot's dismissal from Oman Air will likely raise questions about how he was able to get a job at Flydubai.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hamam al-Hammami, 29, co-pilot, had extremist past",
    "Dismissed from Oman Air for radical views",
    "Flight FZ1073 incident raises concerns about radicalization"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The co-pilot's past extremist views and subsequent dismissal from Oman Air raise concerns about potential lapses in vetting processes that allowed him to be hired by Flydubai.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}