Israel and India have praised Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar after a violent cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv forced a diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed safely with all 174 people on board reported safe and accounted for after passengers and crew restrained the attacker.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Machchhar a hero and said his courage helped save hundreds of lives, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his actions as extraordinary bravery. Machchhar was seriously injured after being stabbed by his co-pilot, but managed to fight back and open the cockpit door, allowing those on board to overpower the assailant.
The incident remains under investigation, with early reports initially raising fears of a hijacking or attempted crash before the cockpit confrontation became clearer. Flydubai has confirmed the flight number, route and aircraft type, and later reporting indicated the airline suspended Israel flights while the inquiry continues. The episode has become both a security incident and a rare public tribute to the captain’s actions, which were credited with preventing a larger disaster.