The New Zealand police have confirmed that the co-pilot involved in a recent violent incident aboard a FlyDubai flight was in their country for part of his flight training program. This revelation comes in the wake of an incident on a flight heading to Israel, during which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe.
Details of the Co-Pilot’s Training in New Zealand
According to a statement made on Tuesday, the co-pilot had been residing in New Zealand from November 30, 2018, to May 23, 2019, on a six-month student visa to complete his training with a now-defunct UK-based airline. Michael Johnson, Assistant Commissioner of New Zealand Police, outlined that the individual was officially in the country solely for his aviation studies.
Investigating the Incident
The police recently began to review immigration records and conduct further investigations into the timeframe the co-pilot spent in New Zealand. This scrutiny emerges from accusations regarding a serious attempt to bring down the aircraft.
Emerging Details About the Incident
The Emirati Attorney General characterised the incident on FlyDubai flight FZ1073 as a “terrorist attack,” wherein the co-pilot allegedly used a cockpit axe to assault the captain. Sources have indicated that the co-pilot, identified as Hemam Al-Hammami, hails from Oman. However, beyond the initial identification, the authorities in Israel, the UAE, and the FlyDubai airline have refrained from publicly disclosing further details about him.
Ongoing Investigations and Implications
In the wake of the incident, an Australian anti-terrorism unit comprising multiple agencies is reportedly investigating the co-pilot’s connections to Australia, suggesting that this case may have wider implications. Authorities are working meticulously to understand the full scope of the events surrounding the attack and any potential influences.