Dubai Crown Prince Meets Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar, Praises His ‘Highest Degree of Courage’

Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum on Saturday visited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, praising his courage after he helped protect 180 people during a mid-air attack on a Flydubai flight.

Machchhar was recovering in hospital when Hamdan met him and commended the pilot for his actions during the incident. “During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the Flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life,” Hamdan said, adding that the UAE leadership had “full appreciation and praise” for him.

“We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life,” he added.

Pilot injured in cockpit attack

Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 while it was flying from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv with 180 people on board. The incident occurred over Saudi Arabia at an altitude of around 34,000 feet. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to resist the attack and open the cockpit doors.

Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and restrained the attacker. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the incident was brought under control.

Modi, Trump and Netanyahu praise pilot

Machchhar’s actions have drawn praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the pilot was receiving excellent medical care in the UAE and was recovering well.

UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash also praised Machchhar’s conduct, saying his courage and sense of responsibility helped avert a potentially catastrophic situation.

Omani co-pilot identified

The co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar was identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.

The Associated Press reported that Hammami had previously been barred from flying by Omani authorities over concerns about his extremist views before subsequently being hired by the UAE-based airline.

Gargash described the attack as a “serious terrorist act” and said the co-pilot used an emergency axe to attack the Indian captain.

Several reports have alleged that Hammami spent significant periods outside Oman, including in Syria, where he was reportedly exposed to extremist ideas. Netanyahu separately said the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalisation.”