UAE honours Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar for courage during mid-air attack

Union Minister Piyush Goyal congratulated Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on receiving the UAE’s First Class Order of Zayed II. Machchhar was honoured for his bravery during an alleged co-pilot attack aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv

New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday congratulated Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on being honoured with the UAE’s prestigious First Class Order of Zayed II decoration in recognition of his extraordinary bravery in helping save passengers and the aircraft from being brought down by a terrorist co-pilot.

“Proud to see Captain Smit Machchhar and the Flydubai crew honoured with the UAE’s prestigious First Class Order of Zayed II, presented by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum,” the minister wrote in a post on X.

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Hailing Machchhar as “a hero celebrated across skies,” Goyal said, “Captain Smit and his team embody the true spirit of duty, precision and valour, making us all proud. Heartiest congratulations to him and the entire crew on this well-deserved honour!”

The First Class Order of Zayed II is a high-level civil decoration of the United Arab Emirates conferred by the UAE President to honour individuals, diplomats, officials and crew members for distinguished service, courage or contributions to strengthening bilateral and international relations.

The UAE President, in the presence of Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, received the crew members. The leaders praised the crew’s courage and professionalism in ensuring passenger safety and securing the aircraft, affirming that protecting people’s safety and security remains a top priority for the UAE.

The crew members expressed their gratitude to the UAE President and pride in receiving the honour, which recognises their service, dedication and commitment.

The honours were presented by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who commended the crew’s actions and sense of responsibility.

On September 30, Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot while aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He was seriously wounded in the attack but managed to retain his presence of mind and open the cockpit door, allowing other passengers and crew members to enter, overpower the co-pilot and take control of the aircraft.