Key facts
- A flydubai co-pilot, identified by media as Hammam al-Hammami, studied at RMIT University in Melbourne but did not complete his engineering qualification.
- The alleged hijacking attempt occurred on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on September 30.
- The co-pilot allegedly used a crash axe and stabbed the pilot during the incident.
- The individual was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and left Australia in 2017.
- His Australian visa was cancelled in 2019 after he was no longer enrolled in his course.
- Multiple Australian agencies, including ASIO, are investigating the man's links to Australia.
RMIT University in Melbourne has confirmed that a former student, identified by media outlets as Hammam al-Hammami, the co-pilot involved in an alleged hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight, studied at its campus but did not complete his engineering qualification.
The incident occurred on September 30 when al-Hammami allegedly attempted to take control of a flight to Tel Aviv with 182 people on board, using a crash axe and stabbing the pilot, according to the UAE's prosecutor general.
The university stated it was aware of media reporting and that the individual was enrolled but did not successfully complete the qualification. As the investigation is ongoing, RMIT declined further comment.
Australian federal police confirmed on Sunday that multiple agencies, including ASIO, are investigating the man's connections to Australia. He was reportedly granted an Australian student visa in 2014, commenced studies in 2015, and left the country in 2017. His visa was cancelled in 2019 after authorities confirmed he was no longer enrolled.
Buckinghamshire New University in the UK confirmed that a student named Hamam al-Hammami had completed a distance-learning course in aviation management but did not undertake pilot training there.
Flydubai has suspended its flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv following the incident. The co-pilot and the flight's captain were taken to the UAE, which is leading the investigation with participation from other countries, including Israel. Reports suggest the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman due to concerns over extremist views before being hired by flydubai.