Security Loophole Allowed Co-Pilot Accused of Hijacking Plot to Bypass British Vetting
British security checks were bypassed by Hammam al-Hamami, accused of a hijacking attempt on a flight to Israel, exposing critical loopholes in distance-learning vetting for aviation students.
Hammam al-Hamami, the co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a passenger plane bound for Israel, managed to bypass British Foreign Office security background checks due to a system loophole, the British newspaper "Telegraph" reveals.
Al-Hamami, 29, studied aviation management for three years at Buckinghamshire New University, an academic track that allowed him to circumvent the stringent vetting system of British authorities.
According to the Telegraph report, al-Hamami did not undergo comprehensive security checks under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), which is designed to screen international students studying "sensitive" subjects such as aeronautical engineering and aircraft maintenance. The reason for the loophole stems from the fact that the program applies only to postgraduate degrees and students studying physically in the UK. Because the terrorist studied for an undergraduate degree via distance learning from his home in Muscat, the capital of Oman, he was not required to undergo any screening.
The course, which cost about 16,000 pounds a year, included topics such as logistics, security, aircraft maintenance, and even "terrorism in the aviation industry."
Radicalization and Policy Demand
Although al-Hamami posted hateful content on social media during his years of study, including severe misogynistic statements and support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he graduated successfully in 2023. Prof. Anthony Glees, a security expert, described the situation as a loophole exploited by foreign students, arguing that basic vetting would have revealed information that should have led to his immediate expulsion.
Following the exposure, politicians and experts in Britain are now demanding stricter regulations. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called on universities to conduct rigorous background checks even for students in online programs, fearing they might use their British qualifications to influence others. A university spokesperson defended the institution, claiming the program did not include practical flight training and did not grant access to restricted areas, adding that employment background checks are solely the responsibility of airlines.
The Attack on the Flight
Al-Hamami is accused of attacking Indian captain Smith Machachari with the emergency axe of the Boeing aircraft. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the attacker and save the 182 passengers on board.
"The terrorist acted as a lone wolf and absorbed jihadi content online while Australian authorities investigate whether his radicalization began while studying there between 2015 and 2017." — Security Assessment
According to assessments in Israel, this was a terrorist who operated as a "lone wolf" and absorbed jihadi content online, while Australian authorities are also currently investigating whether his radicalization process began while studying there between 2015 and 2017.
