DUBAI – The past professional and personal life of Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami has come under intense scrutiny following his alleged attack on Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during a flight. Authorities are now examining al-Hammami's deleted social media posts and his employment history across multiple airlines as part of a wider investigation into the mid-air incident.
Social Media Activity Examined
Reports indicate that nearly 3,000 deleted social media posts from al-Hammami's activity in 2021 and 2022 have been recovered and analyzed using an AI-powered semantic search tool. These posts allegedly reveal details about his views on marriage, women, and family life. Notably, some posts expressed a preference for a wife who would wear a niqab and cease working after marriage. His mother was reportedly involved in seeking matches who met these specific expectations, with some families initially rejecting the conditions before reconsidering upon learning of his pilot profession.
Other posts attributed to al-Hammami reflected views concerning women working in environments that involve interaction with men. These online statements have drawn significant attention from investigators aiming to establish his background and determine any potential connection between his past beliefs and the alleged cockpit attack.
Previous Employment Under Review
Al-Hammami's professional trajectory is also a key focus of the ongoing inquiry. He previously worked for Oman Air for several years before transitioning to Royal Air Maroc and eventually joining Flydubai. Concerns about his views reportedly surfaced during his prior employment, with some sources alleging he was removed from one airline due to issues related to extremist views. The specific allegations and circumstances surrounding his employment history remain an active part of the comprehensive investigation.
The alleged assault on Captain Smit Machchhar occurred during a Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv, triggering an emergency response. While the scrutiny of al-Hammami's background aims to uncover possible motives or links to extremist activities, authorities emphasize that any conclusions will be subject to the final findings of the ongoing investigation.