H.H. Sheikh Hamdan praises flydubai pilot for 'courage and responsibility'

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has praised flydubai pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar after his actions helped avert more serious consequences aboard flight FZ1073.

During a visit to the hospital, Sheikh Hamdan, who also holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, said Machchhar "embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life".

"We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life," Sheikh Hamdan added in his social media post.

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

On Saturday, UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said investigations into the incident aboard flight FZ1073 revealed that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act.

Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia's Tabuk on September 30 after "an altercation occurred in the aircraft’s flight deck while the plane was en route". On-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight secured the aircraft, which then landed safely in Tabuk.

The airline has temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities, while teams continue assisting affected passengers.