Abu Dhabi: UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum on Saturday visited Indian flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who is recovering after being attacked by his Omani co-pilot during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Following the meeting, Hamdan said Machchhar had shown “the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life” and conveyed the UAE leadership’s appreciation. He said the pilot represented the UAE’s values of compassion, peace and respect for life.
During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.
From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise.
We are proud that he is part of our… pic.twitter.com/QgpQxdcK5C
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 3, 2026
According to the UAE Attorney General’s office, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to take control of flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door and called for help. Passengers and crew restrained the attacker, while reserve pilots landed the aircraft at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the plane plunged more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.
The co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Reports said Oman had previously barred him from flying over concerns about extremist views, though details of his recruitment and vetting by flydubai remain unclear.
Calls have also emerged for India to award him the Ashoka Chakra, while the Federation of Indian Pilots has requested a bravery award, citing his conduct despite severe injuries.
