The FlyDubai co-pilot, who allegedly stabbed the captain with an axe in an attempt to hijack the plane, studied at a UK university and had been banned by Oman on security grounds.

Hammam al-Hammami has been accused of attacking his captain on the flight deck, causing the plane to enter a sudden dive.

He had previously been flagged for holding radical views, it has been revealed.

The 29-year-old Omani national had previously trained at his country’s flag carrier in 2024, but was moved to an administrative role after being found in possession of extremist materials, ABC News reported.

He had reportedly completed a distance-learning degree in aviation management at Buckinghamshire New University in 2023.

Flight 1073 was bound for Tel Aviv in Israel when it was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia due to the onboard altercation.

It was able to land safely thanks to the intervention of two off-duty pilots travelling on the flight, who helped Indian captain Smit Machchhar regain control of the plane.

An anonymous Gulf diplomat confirmed al-Hammami’s identity as the co-pilot on the flight deck.

They added an inquiry is ongoing to ascertain whether he acted as a ‘lone wolf or has any connection with any extremist groups’.

Officials say the banned pilot had come close to crashing the aircraft, which was carrying 182 people.

FlyDubai has since suspended all operations to Israel’s Ben Gurion airport.

Its CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith said: ‘On behalf of everyone at flydubai, I extend my sincere thanks to the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their swift and professional response. I also thank the UAE authorities and relevant stakeholders for their support in helping our customers and crew return home.

‘At the request of the authorities, we have temporarily suspended operations to Tel Aviv until further notice. ​ Our teams are working around the clock to support disrupted passengers and help them reach their final destinations.

‘I know there are many questions about what happened on board FZ 1073. A full official investigation, led by the relevant authorities and fully supported by flydubai, is underway. It is important that we allow this process to establish the facts.

‘We are deeply grateful that everyone on board FZ 1073 is safe, and for the continued support of our customers, our people and our industry partners.’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident was a result of ‘Islamist radicalisation’.

Tali Manes was accompanying her daughter, six, to the toilet next to the cockpit when they heard heavy blows.

A flight attendant then walked onto the flight deck to find blood splattered on the walls, before the plane dived 16,000ft in the space of a minute.

Speaking from hospital, Mr Machchhar told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi he could feel the plane was going down as he was on the floor wounded.

He said his desire to save the flight forced him to make one ‘last push’ for the door and allow a group into the cockpit.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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