By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-04 16:55:47 | Updated at 2026-10-04 18:37:24
1 hour ago
The pilot accused of attacking a captain and attempting to hijack an Israel-bound Flydubai passenger plane had previously posted violent and extremist material online while studying at a British university, it has been revealed.
Hamam al-Hammami, 29, was detained after the suspected hijacking of a Flydubai Boeing 737 Max travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The aircraft was carrying 182 people when Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls.
During his time studying aviation at Buckinghamshire New University, it is said that a Twitter (X) account strongly linked to Hammami, using the name “Pilot Hamam al-Hammami” and the handle @PilotHamam, contained posts endorsing violence against women.
The posts included severe punishments justified by references to Islamic law, homophobic abuse and sexual humiliation.
In one post, he told a woman: “I’d stomp on your head, wipe the floor with you, make you an example to others, and then divorce you.”
In another, he appeared to draw a comparison between domestic violence and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, writing: “He gave her a pre-emptive slap so she would redefine her boundaries, just as Russia slapped Ukraine to adjust its borders.”
The online profile also criticised a man for failing to assault his wife after discovering she had been speaking to another man, writing: “Anyone else would have stomped on her head and made her an example to others.”
The university said it would review his time there, and stressed that he “did not undertake any pilot training at the University.”
A BNU spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident,”
The university’s aviation management courses cover areas including the operations, logistics, security and management of the aviation industry.
Hammami reportedly studied the course remotely from Muscat, Oman.
An Israeli official previously told The Times of Israel that his online activity also indicated support for jihadist ideology, and alleged that he had discussed killing Jewish people.
Concerns about Hammami’s views reportedly predated his employment with Flydubai.
Sources told CNN that he left Oman Air’s pilot-training programme after concerns were raised about his extremist ideology, although he subsequently worked for the airline in another capacity.
A LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Hammami said he worked for Oman Air for seven years before leaving in February 2025, with a subsequent role listed with Royal Air Maroc from June 2025 until January 2026. The profile did not mention Flydubai and has since been deleted.
Co-pilot Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his colleague on a Flydubai plane
REUTERS
During Wednesday’s flight, Hammami allegedly stabbed Captain Machchhar before trying to disable the controls. The aircraft plunged from around 33,000ft to 17,000ft in roughly a minute.
Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and alert the cabin crew. Passengers and crew then overpowered Hammami, allowing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are now examining whether Hammami acted alone, or had links to an extremist organisation.
UAE senior adviser Anwar Gargash described the incident on X as “a dangerous terrorist act”, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Hammami had undergone “Islamist radicalisation”.
