FlyDubai attack pilot was in NZ on student visa, police confirm

The pilot accused of attacking his colleague on a FlyDubai flight spent 175 days in New Zealand in 2018/19 under a six-month student visa.

Hammam al-Hammami has been named as the co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague, Captain Smit Machchhar, on board Flight FZ1073 bound for Israel, and trying to seize control of the flight, carrying more than 170 passengers.

Machchhar was covered in blood when he managed to release the cockpit door, which allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and regain control of the flight.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Johnson confirmed today that al-Hammami was in New Zealand between November 2018 and May 2019 on a six-month student visa.

"Immigration records show he arrived in New Zealand on 30 November 2018 and departed 23 May 2019, having spent 175 days in the country," Johnson said.

"Police can confirm the co-pilot was in New Zealand to complete a portion of his flight training for a UK-based company, no longer operating in New Zealand."

Johnson said police were reviewing records and undertaking enquiries with regard to the time Hammam al-Hammami spent in New Zealand.

-RNZ