Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Indian pilot Smit Machchar’s “extraordinary bravery” for opening the cockpit door on time despite being stabbed by his Omani co-pilot mid-air.
I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero. The incident is being probed by flydubai along with other investigating authorities.
“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi officials have questioned the Omani co-pilot. flydubai announced that they are suspending their 10 daily scheduled flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv for the next six days as the incident is investigated.
A spokesperson for flydubai said in a statement that the suspension is temporary and “will allow relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts.”
Earlier reporting noted: Israeli PM hails Indian pilot wounded in diverted flydubai flight Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Indian Captain Smit Machchhar , who was wounded in an altercation with his copilot who allegedly tried to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on Wednesday (September 30, 2026). Machchhar saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
“We remain in close coordination with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders and will review the suspension as more information becomes available,” the flydubai spokesperson said. Earlier reporting noted: Describing him as a “true hero”, Mr. Netanyahu said that “despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. Earlier reporting noted: He said Mr.
