Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to receive Israel’s top civilian honour
Dubai: Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his role in an incident aboard a flight on September 30, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced. Herzog made the announcement on Thursday while presenting the same award to six Israeli passengers who helped prevent what Israeli authorities described as an alleged attempt to hijack…
Captain Smit Machchhar, a pilot for Flydubai, is set to receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism following an incident on September 30. Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced the award during a ceremony that also recognized six Israeli passengers who aided in averting what authorities described as a potential hijacking.
Herzog commended Machchhar's bravery and professionalism, stating that his actions prevented a catastrophe. The pilot is currently recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi after sustaining serious injuries during the mid-air event. Captain Machchhar is making progress under treatment, as confirmed by India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in the UAE, where he remains in close contact with his family, medical team, and local authorities.
Six Israeli passengers - Tali Manes, Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan, and Or Pardilov, were also honored for their roles in the incident. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it safely landed, and all 180 passengers were safely evacuated. It is planned that Machchhar will receive his award once he has fully recovered.
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