Flydubai Co-pilot May Be Holding Dual Citizenship, Appointment Shows Screening Gaps: Omani Sources To News18

Last Updated:October 05, 2026, 4:22 pm IST

Acting on the radicalisation flag, Omani authorities had permanently banned Hamam al-Hammami from working in the aviation sector, say sources

Omani co-pilots Hamam Al Hammami

Investigating authorities are tracking a complex web of international background details regarding the 29-year-old Omani national, Hamam al-Hammami, who carried out the mid-air assault on Flydubai Flight FZ1073.

New biographical information and regulatory disclosures reveal critical gaps in aviation screening and raise the strong possibility that the suspect holds dual citizenship, according to sources from Oman.

International Upbringing and Syrian Roots

Official records show al-Hammami was born in the United Arab Emirates and is of mixed heritage, with a mother of Syrian origin. Sources close to the investigation state that he spent a significant portion of his life outside of Oman.

This extended period abroad occurred during his father’s employment in the UAE, while staying with his mother in war-torn Syria, and during his subsequent university studies in Australia.

Prior Blacklisting and Failure to Check Backgrounds

Al-Hammami’s history with aviation security dates back to his time as a trainee at an Omani airline. Security agencies in Muscat identified his interest in accessing extremist websites on the internet at an early stage. Acting on this radicalisation flag, Omani authorities took swift actionpermanently banning him from working in the aviation sector.

Following the flight ban, al-Hammami left Oman. Crucially, Omani authorities confirmed that they never received any requests from foreign governments or airlines to conduct background checks on al-Hammami for employment purposes. Omani officials emphasized that had any information been requested prior to his hiring by Flydubai, the sultanate would have immediately shared his security red flags, as it is doing now in the active counterterrorism investigation.

Nationality Anomalies Under Bilateral Agreements

The disclosure has put immense pressure on the regulatory framework governing flights between the UAE and Israel. Under the explicit terms of the aviation agreement between Israel and the UAE, air routes between the two nations may only be operated by flight crews holding UAE nationality or the nationality of a state that has formalized and normalized diplomatic relations with Israel.

Because Oman does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Israel, al-Hammami’s presence in the cockpit strongly indicates that he may hold a second nationality that allowed him to bypass the restriction.

Systemic Negligence and Oversight

The details highlight a breakdown in standard operating procedures. Investigators are focusing on how an individual flagged for extremist ties could seamlessly enter a major regional commercial carrier.

The security failure points directly to a vulnerability in the verification procedures established under the bilateral aviation agreement.

Analysts state that the suspect’s ability to clear screening suggests a combination of procedural negligence, severe oversight, or a deliberate disregard for protocol by vetting parties.

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What background details and past security flags were discovered regarding Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami?

Investigating authorities revealed that 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami was previously flagged by security agencies in Muscat for accessing extremist websites as an airline trainee. This radicalisation flag resulted in him being permanently banned from working in Oman’s aviation sector before he was later hired by Flydubai.

How does Hamam al-Hammami’s possible dual citizenship relate to UAE-Israel aviation agreements?

The bilateral aviation agreement between Israel and the UAE stipulates that flight crews on these routes must hold UAE nationality or the nationality of a state with normalized diplomatic relations with Israel. Because Oman lacks formal diplomatic ties with Israel, investigators suspect al-Hammami holds a second nationality that allowed him to bypass this operational restriction.

Did Omani authorities receive any background check requests from foreign governments or airlines for al-Hammami?

Omani authorities confirmed they never received any background check requests from foreign governments or airlines regarding al-Hammami prior to his employment with Flydubai. Officials stated that had such a request been made, the sultanate would have immediately shared his security red flags.

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About the Author

Siddhant Mishra

Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively …Read More

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