UAE President honours flydubai flight FZ1073 crew over 30 September incident

Centre · 2UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the crew of flydubai flight FZ1073 on Tuesday 27 October, in recognition of their courage and efforts to ensure passenger safety during the 30 September incident. 1 2 Centre · 1Gulf News's first report described the honour as the Zayed Medal of the First Class, while its later report, which carries the byline of the state news agency WAM, and The National call it the First Class Order of Zayed II. 3 1 Centre · 2The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, who commended the crew's actions and sense of responsibility; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, was also present. 1 2

Centre · 2The leaders praised the crew's courage, professionalism and responsibility in keeping passengers safe and said that protecting human safety and security is the UAE's highest priority; the crew thanked the President and said they were proud to receive the honour. 3 2 Centre · 2Officials present included Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group; The National also lists Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak among those attending. 1 2 Centre · 1Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said on X that the award was a fitting tribute to the crew's bravery and presence of mind, and that their heroism reaffirms that protecting human life is among the highest duties; Gulf News said the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit. 4

Centre · 1Gulf News reported that flight FZ1073 flew from Dubai to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members. 3 Centre · 1The National gave a fuller account: it said the Boeing 737 plunged 17,000 feet in less than a minute when the first officer attacked Capt Smit Machchhar and seized control, and that Machchhar later told the paper his co-pilot repeatedly struck him with an axe. 2 Centre · 1According to UAE prosecutors, as reported by The National, the co-pilot tried to crash the jet into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. The National said an investigation found the Omani co-pilot, aged 29, carried out a terrorist plot to cause mass casualties, and that he was inspired by the 11 September 2001 attacks, according to his confession. 2

Centre · 1The National said that after Capt Machchhar managed to get the cabin door open, crew members and passengers restrained the suspect and rescued the injured captain. 2 Right · 1Arab News, citing the Emirates News Agency for the award, said the Indian captain, despite serious injuries, unlocked the cockpit door so passengers and crew could overpower the attacker, and that two other flydubai pilots on board then took control and landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia; all passengers and crew survived. 5 Right · 1Arab News added that Machchhar was treated in Tabuk before being moved to Abu Dhabi, that UAE prosecutors said on 9 October the co-pilot intended a suicide attack inspired by 11 September 2001, and that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him, while Israeli President Isaac Herzog plans to give him Israel's presidential award for civilian heroism after his recovery. 5