DOMINANT ANGLE
Canberra is examining the national aspect of the case: a Victorian anti-terrorism team is investigating whether the Omani co-pilot of the Flydubai flight was radicalized during his studies in Australia.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (AFP, Victoria police, ASIO) is investigating the co-pilot's links to Australia, according to the AFP.
- 02
Student visa issued in 2014, studies in Australia between 2015 and 2017, visa cancelled in 2019 due to lack of enrolment, according to the ABC.
- 03
Emirati Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated on October 3 that the co-pilot had attempted to commit a "terrorist act" with the emergency axe.
ANALYSIS
Canberra, October 4, 2026. For the Australian press, the Flydubai FZ1073 flight incident becomes a national case on Sunday, October 4, when the federal police (AFP) confirm they are investigating the co-pilot's links to the country. According to the ABC, the investigation is being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which brings together the AFP, the Victoria police, and the ASIO. A spokesperson promised an update "at an appropriate time," as quoted by PerthNow.
The basic account comes from the Emirates. On Saturday, October 3, Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, quoted by the WAM agency, stated that the co-pilot "had attempted to commit a terrorist act": he allegedly attacked the commander in the cockpit with the emergency axe and tried to take control. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age report that the aircraft, with 174 people on board, nearly crashed and that two off-duty pilots stabilized the Boeing 737 MAX before landing in Saudi Arabia. The ABC specifies a drop of nearly 4,267 meters in less than 30 seconds and a rerouting to Tabuk.
The identity of the co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani, has not been officially confirmed: SBS cites a Reuters source, then three people, including diplomats who spoke anonymously. The same media outlets indicate that Oman had banned him from flying due to extremist views before he was hired by the Emirati company; the ABC notes that it is unknown how closely he was vetted at the time.
The most developed local point is the co-pilot's time in Australia. According to the ABC and SBS, he received a student visa in 2014, studied in the country between 2015 and 2017, and then had his visa canceled in 2019 for failing to enroll in a course. The ABC specifies that the cancellation was not based on character grounds. The investigation is to determine whether he was radicalized during his stay.
The SMH notes that the Emirati qualification allays fears of a knife passing through security checks, but opens a debate on safeguards against a hostile pilot. PerthNow adds that Flydubai flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv are suspended and that Emirati and Israeli authorities are also investigating.
SOURCES (4)
- ABC News AustraliaMEDIUM
- PerthNowMEDIUM
- SBS News AustraliaMEDIUM
