New Zealand authorities have launched an investigation into the flight training of Hamam al-Hammami, the flydubai co-pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack an aircraft bound for Tel Aviv. The inquiry follows police confirmation that al-Hammami underwent pilot training in New Zealand approximately one year after he abandoned a university degree in Australia.
The scrutiny of al-Hammami’s background has intensified following the incident on 30 September, when passengers and crew intervened to prevent the 29-year-old from taking control of the plane. The flight was carrying 182 people at the time of the alleged attempt, which was narrowly averted by the collective action of those onboard.
Records indicate that al-Hammami spent 175 days in New Zealand until May 2019. During this period, he was reportedly undergoing flight training, a detail that has become a focal point of the widening investigation into his qualifications and movements prior to the incident.
Al-Hammami’s history in the region extends to Australia, where he had previously pursued higher education before leaving his degree. An Australian Jewish group has called for a full investigation into his time in Melbourne, adding another layer to the international scrutiny of his background.
The coordinated response from New Zealand authorities marks a significant expansion of the inquiry, which now encompasses his professional training history across multiple countries. Officials are examining the circumstances of his training in New Zealand to determine any potential links to the events of 30 September.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
