New Zealand investigates Flydubai co pilot following alleged plane hijacking attempt

New Zealand authorities have launched an investigation into Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly tried to hijack an Israel-bound plane. Police confirmed that al-Hammami underwent flight training in New Zealand after abandoning a university degree in Australia, as reported by The Guardian, DW.com, and other outlets. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

According to The Guardian, al-Hammami spent 175 days in New Zealand until May 2019. An Australian Jewish group has called for a full investigation into the time he spent in Melbourne prior to his flight training. The Jerusalem Post added that al-Hammami also studied to be a pilot in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. [1][4]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Australian security agencies had already begun investigating al-Hammami over the time he spent in Australia on a student visa. During a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, al-Hammami allegedly attacked the flight captain with a crash axe. Passengers and crew members overpowered him, and the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia. [1][11]

The international probe into al-Hammami continues as authorities in New Zealand and Australia review his movements, flight training background, and educational history across both countries. [1][6][11]