Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has received the UAE’s highest honour. How his courage earned him praise from world leaders | Today’s news

The UAE awarded the Order of Zayed First Class II to Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar and other crew members for their courageous efforts to protect passengers during the cockpit attack on board a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The honor comes amid widespread international praise for Machchhar, whose actions helped avert a potential air disaster.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, presented the state award, which was presented by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Media Authority reported. Hamdan praised the actions of the crew and their sense of responsibility during the emergency.

Machchhar was seriously injured after being attacked by his co-pilot on board flydubai flight FZ1073. Despite his injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to intervene. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The UAE’s recognition follows praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others, for the captain’s courage and presence of mind.

UAE honors crew for protecting passengers

When announcing the price, The Dubai Media Office said the honor recognized “the valiant efforts of the flydubai crew members to ensure passenger safety”.

The crew members thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and expressed their pride in receiving the recognition, which reflects the recognition of the UAE leadership for their service, dedication and commitment.

Sheikh Hamdan had earlier visited Machchhar in hospital on October 3 and praised his response to the cockpit attack, saying the captain had shown “the highest level of courage, responsibility and care for human life”.

“He has our full recognition and praise from us and from the nation’s leadership,” Hamdan said.

In a post on X, the Dubai Crown Prince also described Machchhar as part of the UAE’s national story.

“We are proud to have him as part of our team…part of our nation’s story,” Hamdan wrote, praising the captain’s contribution to protecting lives.

PM Modi says Machchhar has made India proud

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar after the incident and praised his determination to protect those on board the plane even though they were seriously injured.

“In the face of gravest danger… he displayed immense courage and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others,” PM Modi wrote on X.

During their video call, PM Modi told the captain that his courage and presence of mind saved lives.

“Your courage, presence of mind and poise have saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi also told Machchhar that India was praying for his recovery and that he would be welcomed back home.

“The whole country is praying for you. Maha Mrityunjay Jaap is being done for you and your health. Your courage, presence of mind and poise have saved many lives. The country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” PM Modi told Machchhar during a video call.

“Bharat will gladly welcome you. Yesterday, special prayers were held across the country for your health,” PM Modi said.

Machchhar thanked the prime minister for his encouragement and called him his biggest idol. The captain recalled the emergency and said he forced himself to act despite his injuries.

“I had so many injuries but I told myself that I have to stand up and act,” Machchhar told PM Modi.

Machchhar told PM Modi, “You are my biggest idol. I am proud of the way you are encouraging me today. I had so many injuries but I told myself that I have to stand up and act. That’s when I told myself to force myself to open the cockpit door.”

Trump calls Indian pilot a ‘hero’

Machchhar was also praised by US President Donald Trump, who highlighted his decision to open the cockpit door and seek help even though he was dealing with serious injuries.

“The pilot in bad shape had the sense to open the door. He was a hero in a way,” Trump said.

President Droupadi Murmu also praised the captain’s determination, saying his actions helped prevent a major tragedy and save lives.

The international response highlighted the role played by Machchhar and other crew members and passengers who intervened during the emergency.

Netanyahu called Makhchar a “hero of the whole world”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Machhar on October 3 and praised his courage and judgment under extreme pressure.

“You are the hero of Israel, you are the hero of India, you are the hero of the whole world,” Netanyahu told the captain.

The Israeli prime minister also invited Machchhar and Prime Minister Modi to light the ceremonial torch at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations in May 2027. Netanyahu said this honor is usually reserved for Israeli citizens, but added that Machchhar would be accepted by the Israeli people.

“I spoke to my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside the brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day,” Netanyahu said.

He added that Modi thanked him for the invitation and said that India and Israel are fighting terrorism together “on the ground and in the air”.

‘I have the last fight left’

During the interview with Netanyahu, Machhar recounted how the attack took place in the cockpit.

The captain said his Omani co-pilot asked for time to pray, which he said was not unusual. Four or five minutes later, Machchhar felt a heavy blow to the back of his head.

“My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the plane,” he told Netanyahu.

As the strikes continued, Machchhar realized that the other pilot was attacking him.

“That’s when I realized it wasn’t the plane, it was the other man who was in the cockpit with me,” he said.

Despite his injuries and blurred vision, Machchhar pushed through to reach the cockpit door and open it, allowing the people outside to enter and intervene.

“I gave everything I had and I went to the door and opened the door and luckily people were waiting,” he said.

Recalling that moment, he told Netanyahu, “I have one last fight left.”

“If I don’t do this, I will die,” added Machchhar.

What happened on board flydubai flight FZ1073?

The incident occurred on September 30, when flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board. Machchhar was seriously injured after being attacked by his co-pilot, who is said to have used a crash ax in the ambush.

The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to intervene and overpower the attacker. The second pair of pilots traveling on the flight then helped regain control of the aircraft.

The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely.

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