Australian counter-terrorism authorities have formally launched an investigation into the Flydubai co-pilot accused of carrying out an axe attack during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, meaning he is now under official investigation in two countries.

A spokesperson for the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT)—which comprises the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)—confirmed the probe, stating: "Vic JCTT can confirm it is investigating the man's links to Australia." The spokesperson added that a further update would be issued at the appropriate time.

The 29-year-old Omani national, Hammam Al-Hammami, spent approximately two years living in Australia. A source familiar with the case said he was granted a student visa in 2014, began university studies in 2015, and departed in 2017 before his visa was cancelled in 2019. US media outlets, including CNN, noted that a now-deleted LinkedIn profile indicated he had studied engineering at an Australian university.

The attack took place on Wednesday, 30 September, aboard flight FZ1073 over Jordanian airspace. Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked with an emergency crash axe, sustaining severe injuries. Despite being wounded on the cockpit floor, Captain Machchhar reached the internal door knob to twist it open, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.

According to updated reports from British media outlets, two off-duty pilots joined passengers in rushing to the flight deck, taking around 10 minutes to stabilise the Boeing 737 MAX after it plunged sharply during the struggle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously noted that an Israeli passenger, Yaniv Hayun, also assisted with the controls before the airliner made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. None of the 182 passengers on board were seriously injured.

Emirati Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed to state media that investigations established Al-Hammami was attempting to carry out a terrorist attack. Al-Hammami allegedly told investigators he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel.

Captain Machchhar remains in hospital in Abu Dhabi. In telephone and video calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described his survival as a "twist of fate and faith" and recounted making "one last push" to unlock the door from the inside. The Indian embassy confirmed he is in good health and recovering well.

Al-Hammami, who was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother, had been employed by Flydubai for eight months. Saudi state media reported that Omani authorities had barred him from flying last year over radical ideological views following his dismissal from Oman Air. Buckinghamshire New University in the UK confirmed to the Press Association that he completed an online distance-learning degree in aviation management in 2023, with no practical flight training involved.

Captain Dhaval Patel, a close friend who trained with Captain Machchhar in New Zealand, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation of his relief at his colleague's survival, commending his composure under extreme pressure.

I will continue to report on this investigation as further findings are confirmed by authorities.