Investigation into flydubai co-pilot's Australian links after alleged cockpit attack

A counter-terrorism team is investigating Australian links to a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly attacked his colleague in the cockpit.

The incident occurred on a flight bound for Tel Aviv, which was carrying 174 people and was forced to divert to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing after the co-pilot allegedly tried to crash the plane.

The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, has been identified by sources close to the incident, who have confirmed he was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017.

His visa was cancelled in 2019, not on character grounds, but due to his lack of enrolment in a course, rendering him ineligible for a student visa.

An AFP spokesperson said the investigation, being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, would provide an update