Wed, Oct 28, 2026 | Jumada al-Awwal 16, 1448 | Fajr 05:06|DXB 29.6°C
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded the flydubai crew involved in the September 30 FZ1073 incident a medal for their courage and efforts to keep passengers safe.
The crew received the Order of Zayed II, First Class, in recognition of their role during the incident. The award is generally given to foreign ambassadors, diplomats, senior officials and international figures for their contributions to public service and strengthening ties with the UAE.
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, presented the medals at a ceremony. He praised the crew for the responsibility they showed in protecting passengers during the incident.
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The Emirates News Agency has shared a short video of the ceremony; watch below:
رئÙس اÙدÙÙØ© ÙستÙب٠بØضÙر Ù Ø٠د ب٠راشد طاÙ٠طائرة "ÙÙا٠دبÙ" ÙÙ ÙاÙعة رØÙØ© 30 سبت٠بر اÙ٠اضÙØ ÙÙØ´Ùدا٠بدÙر اÙطاÙÙ Ùشجاعت٠Ù٠اÙØÙاظ عÙ٠سÙا٠ة اÙرÙاب ÙØ£Ù ÙÙÙ #Ùا٠https://t.co/qz24OCWGjn pic.twitter.com/uFqWYEWPR2
UAE Royals could be seen speaking with Captain Smit Machchhar, who quickly gained global appreciation for saving the lives of the crew and passengers by unlatching the cockpit door, just in time for others to intervene.
"I had that one last fight in me and gave it my all," the Captain said earlier.
Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, also praised the crew, describing the honour as a recognition of their courage and determination to protect passengers’ lives.
"An honorable feat of bravery that affirms that preserving human life is the noblest of duties and the most exalted form of giving," he said.
Take a look at the images below, where the Order of Zayed II was bestowed upon the flight crew.
UAE President confers the First Class Order of Zayed II on the flydubai crew members involved in Septemberâs in-flight incident, in recognition of their courageous efforts to ensure the safety of passengers. The honours were presented by Hamdan bin Mohammed, who commended the⦠pic.twitter.com/eNrirsChhw
The crew has been recognised by UAE leaders in the past too. On October 3, just days after the pilot was injured in the cockpit altercation aboard flight FZ1073 on September 30, Sheikh Hamdan visited Captain Smit Machchhar in the hospital, showing his support.
The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30.
UAE prosecutors on October 9 said the 29-year-old co-pilot of the flydubai flight FZ1073 planned to hijack the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in an attack intended to cause mass casualties
According to the UAE Public Prosecution, he attempted to carry out the terrorist attack during his third trip to Tel Aviv. Investigators said the suspect had used two previous trips to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the flight route and airport as part of his preparations.
The UAE on October 3 said investigations revealed that the co-pilot launched the attack while the aircraft was in flight, assaulting the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft. A crash axe is a safety tool kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies, such as breaking through doors or panels.
Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it. When she's not looking for new hacks to share with readers, you may find her giving them a real laugh at one of her stand-up comic events.
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