Australia and New Zealand have launched investigations into the past ties of the Omani co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. Security agencies in both nations confirmed on Monday that they are examining the suspect’s time spent in Oceania during his younger years.
The Omani national is currently in custody in the United Arab Emirates. He faces allegations that he attacked pilot Smit Machchhar with an emergency axe in the cockpit and attempted to deliberately crash the aircraft into Israeli territory. Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, allowing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a turbulent struggle for control that included a steep dive.
In Australia, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) stated that the man enrolled at the Melbourne university in Victoria but did not complete an engineering degree. According to local media reports, he arrived on a student visa in 2014, began his studies in 2015, departed in 2017, and had his visa cancelled in 2019.
A spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police confirmed that the Victorian Counter Terrorism Team, which includes federal police, state police, and the ASIO intelligence agency, is actively investigating the man’s links to Australia.
New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Johnson told the RNZ news outlet that officers are reviewing the suspect’s history in the country, though he did not provide specific details regarding the timeline or locations. “We are looking into the time he spent here, alongside other agencies where appropriate,” Johnson said, adding that no further comments could be made at this time.
The incident has drawn attention to the role of the flight’s pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, who also spent part of his formative years in New Zealand. Approximately 18 years ago, Machchhar completed his initial flight training with Mainland Air. Philip Kean, chief executive of the airline, expressed admiration for Machchhar’s handling of the crisis.
“I was really pleased to read how he handled the situation,” Kean told RNZ. “He got through and he got the door open so the other people could save the airplane, because if he hadn’t done that, it would have been a disaster.”
RMIT confirming he dropped out in 2017 feels like a small but significant clue in this growing terrorism investigation.
What a terrifying ordeal for everyone on that flight. The co-pilot’s actions were absolutely reckless and dangerous to all lives aboard.
I wonder if Australian authorities will find any concrete links, or if this is just thorough bureaucratic due diligence at this point.
It is remarkable how the pilot’s time in New Zealand training is being highlighted alongside the suspect’s student visa history.