UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and fellow FlyDubai crew members the First Class Order of Zayed II for their courageous efforts to ensure the safety of passengers during an attempted mid-air attack aboard a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight FZ1073 on September 30, 2026.
The Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan commended the crew’s actions, professionalism and strong sense of responsibility.
Machchhar and the FlyDubai crew members received the award at the presidential reception.
The First Class Order of Zayed II is a high-level civil decoration of the United Arab Emirates, conferred by the UAE President to recognise distinguished service, courage and contributions to strengthening bilateral and international relations.
On September 30, flight FZ1073 left Dubai for Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, most of them Israelis. Midway through the flight, the Boeing 737 Max dropped sharply after Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Captain Machchhar.
Passengers and other crew took back control of the cockpit, and the plane landed in Tabuk, in northwest Saudi Arabia.
Captain Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for treatment.
(Picture Courtesy: Dubai Media Office)
