New Zealand officials have initiated a formal inquiry into the background of Hamam al-Hammami, the flydubai co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a commercial airliner en route to Israel. Police confirmed that al-Hammami underwent flight training in New Zealand approximately one year after he left an academic program in Australia.
The investigation follows an incident on September 30, in which passengers and crew on the flight thwarted al-Hammami’s alleged attempt to seize control of the aircraft carrying 182 people bound for Tel Aviv.
Al-Hammami, 29, resided in New Zealand for 175 days before departing in May 2019. His time in Melbourne has drawn renewed scrutiny from an Australian Jewish advocacy group, which is calling for a comprehensive examination of his activities during that period.
Seventeen5 days sounds short, but maybe enough time to pick up dangerous ideas. Hope the probe is thorough.
Did NZ authorities ever follow up after he left in 2019? Seems like a gap in international data sharing.
It is worrying that he was allowed to train here. We need stricter vetting for pilot licenses, period.