Israel flight hijacking latest: FlyDubai co-pilot who used crash axe in ‘terror incident’ studied at UK university
Hamam al-Hammami, identified as the co-pilot who attacked a flight captain on a flight to Tel Aviv, studied at a UK university prior to the attack, it has emerged.
A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New University told The Independent: “Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident.
“Hamam al Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University.”
The UAE’s prosecutor general said he intended to carry out a “terror attack” and that the man, who was identified on Saturday as Omani national al-Hammami, used a crash axe to stab the captain.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, the motives and any related connections, as well as to examine physical and digital evidence, he added.
Hammami was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother, CNN quoted sources and Israeli officials familiar with the matter as saying.
He was banned from flying last year over concerns that he had radical ideological views, according to Saudi state media.
FlyDubai has said that the incident is still under investigation.
