{
  "id": 11757737,
  "title": "Benjamin Netanyahu invites flydubai pilot who averted mid-air crisis to Israel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/benjamin-netanyahu-invites-flydubai-pilot-who-averted-mid-air-crisis",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T19:07:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-invites-flydubai-pilot-who-averted-mid-air-crisis-to-israel-1.500697447"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honored the Indian captain of a flydubai flight, Smit Machchhar, as a guest of honor after Machchhar's heroic actions during a mid-air crisis. The incident occurred on September 30 when a security incident took place inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to intervene and bring the situation under control. The flight, carrying 174 people towards Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu expressed his desire for Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a key international partner for Israel, to light a flame at Israel's Independence Day ceremony next May. The pilot's act of bravery was praised by Sheikh Hamdan in a video released by Netanyahu's office. The investigation into the incident, reportedly an alleged attack by the co-pilot, continues with a team from the UAE's Public Prosecution formed following an order from the UAE Attorney-General. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority stated that Machchhar had safely returned to the UAE, is in good condition, and is receiving medical treatment.",
  "summary": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday invited the Indian captain of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight to Israel as a guest of honour after the pilot gave a dramatic account of how he helped save the aircraft following a security incident in the cockpit . Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. The flight was carrying 174…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Israel received list of flydubai flight crew ahead of pilot's hijacking attempt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/israel-received-list-of-flydubai-flight-crew-ahead-of-pilots",
        "published": "2026-10-03T16:52:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Israel received full flydubai crew, passenger list prior to takeoff, source tells 'Post'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/israel-received-full-flydubai-crew-passenger-list-prior-to-takeoff",
        "published": "2026-10-03T18:30:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Netanyahu invites PM Modi, flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to light Israel Independence Day flame: 'Highest honor'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/netanyahu-invites-pm-modi-flydubai-captain-smit-machchhar-to-light",
        "published": "2026-10-03T20:39:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}