Dubai: UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met Captain Smit Machchhar and praised the flydubai pilot for displaying what he described as “courage, responsibility, and care for human life”.
Following the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan said Captain Machchhar had received the “full appreciation and praise” of the UAE leadership.
UAE leadership praises Captain Machchhar
In a post following the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE was proud to have Machchhar as part of its team.
The meeting came after the captain was involved in an incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, during which he was attacked in the cockpit and the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar’s actions during the incident have drawn attention to the responsibility of flight crew in protecting passengers during emergencies.
Captain recovering after cockpit attack
Machchhar was injured during the incident and has been recovering following the attack.
The flight, which was carrying passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted after the confrontation in the cockpit. The incident prompted an investigation involving authorities in the UAE and other countries.
The captain’s response during the emergency has since been highlighted by UAE officials, with Sheikh Hamdan describing his conduct in terms of courage, responsibility and concern for human life.
The UAE leadership’s recognition comes as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue.