SATV, Kathmandu, October 3. Further details have emerged about the Omani co-pilot who allegedly stabbed Flydubai Captain Smit Machhar, an Indian national, while the flight was traveling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, Israel, last Wednesday, September 30.

According to CNN, citing sources, the co-pilot has been identified as Hamam Al-Hamami, an Omani national. Saudi state media have also identified him by the same name.

Al-Hamami was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and a Syrian mother. He spent part of his life in the UAE.

According to information previously listed on a LinkedIn profile under Hamam Al-Hamami’s name, he worked for Oman Air for seven years before leaving the airline in February 2025. He then joined Royal Air Maroc in June 2025 but left the airline in January 2026. The profile did not mention any employment with Flydubai.

CNN reported that a source confirmed the profile belonged to the Flydubai co-pilot involved in Wednesday’s incident. The profile has since been removed.

A second source, a diplomat in the region, told CNN that the man had been removed from flight training because of his extremist views and was subsequently given another position at Oman’s national airline.

ABC News also reported, citing officials, that extremist material was found in Al-Hamami’s possession when he was working as a co-pilot trainee for Oman Air in 2024. Despite this, sources said he was allowed to continue working for the airline in an administrative role.

An Israeli official told CNN that Al-Hamami had worked for Flydubai for only eight months. Another source said the attacker had previously worked for Royal Air Maroc.

Flydubai, however, has so far not released any information about the co-pilot. His photograph has also not been made public.

Last Wednesday, a Flydubai aircraft carrying 172 passengers, in addition to the crew, was flying from Dubai in the UAE to Tel Aviv in Israel when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit with a knife. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia.

Captain Smit was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. After receiving treatment, he returned to the UAE on Friday.

With assistance from passengers, Captain Smit managed to prevent the aircraft from being involved in a major accident. He has since received widespread praise internationally for his actions.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Flydubai Captain Smit spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone and described the terrifying incident.

Speaking to Modi, Smit said, “I felt that if I did not get up and take action, the situation would become worse. I have been flying for 17 years and have been a captain for the past 11 years. Even with my eyes closed, I can visualize what is happening inside the aircraft. When I was fighting, I could feel that the situation was getting worse.”

According to Captain Smit, after making every possible effort, he eventually managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to enter and assist him. He said other people also played an important role in the effort.

He said, “I was doing everything I could to save my own life, but at the same time, I felt that I could not let those people die either.”