flydubai co-pilot accused of hijack attempt had completed UK university course: Report

Hamam al Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe inside the cockpit during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif al Shamsi.

The aircraft, carrying 182 people, subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew members subdued the alleged attacker.

UK university confirms Al Hammami's course

Buckinghamshire New University confirmed that Al Hammami had previously enrolled in and completed a remote aviation management course.

"Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident," a university spokesperson said.

The university clarified that Al Hammami "did not undertake any pilot training" at the institution.

Oman banned him from flying

The Associated Press, citing sources, reported that Al Hammami had previously been banned from flying in Oman amid concerns that he had adopted extremist views.

He was later employed by Dubai-based flydubai.

Al Hammami was born in the UAE and has a Syrian mother. Investigators are examining his background, possible motives and whether he had any links to extremist organisations.

A Gulf diplomat told AP that authorities were trying to establish whether he acted as a "lone wolf" or had connections to an extremist group.

Probe into possible extremist links

UAE authorities are leading the investigation, with Israeli investigators also involved.

The UAE has described the incident as a terrorist act, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Al Hammami appeared to have undergone Islamist radicalisation and may have intended to bring down the aircraft.

Netanyahu also said investigators were examining whether the attacker had been directed by someone else.

However, an official familiar with the investigation told AP that there was currently no evidence linking the attacker to Iran or confirming that he was acting on behalf of a wider group.

Captain Machchhar hailed as hero

Captain Smit Machchhar has been praised for his actions during the attack after attempting to prevent the alleged hijacking despite suffering serious injuries.

Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an emotional video call from an Abu Dhabi hospital that he could not allow passengers to die.

He described being stabbed and falling to the cockpit floor before noticing the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude. Despite his injuries, he fought to reach and open the cockpit door.

"When I was down, I could feel that the aircraft was plummeting, and I knew this is a last chance to do something," Machchhar said.

Plane plunged thousands of feet

According to UAE authorities, Al Hammami used a crash axe, an emergency tool normally kept inside the cockpit, to attack Machchhar.

The aircraft reportedly dropped from around 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in approximately one minute as the struggle unfolded.

Passengers and crew eventually restrained the alleged attacker, allowing other pilots on board to take control.

The Boeing 737 was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely and Al Hammami was detained.

UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash called the incident a "dangerous terrorist act" and credited Machchhar with helping prevent a catastrophe.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the attacker's background, motive, possible extremist connections and the circumstances that allowed the incident to unfold aboard the