Indian flydubai captain airlifted to UAE as ambassador visits hospital

The injured pilot was moved from Saudi Arabia to the UAE and met the Indian ambassador and consular officials at his hospital.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:24:24 GMT

Captain Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot credited with saving lives after a cockpit attack on flight FZ1073, was air‑lifted from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, according to Gulf News.

What happened

The incident occurred on 30 September 2026 when a co‑pilot stabbed Machchhar in the cockpit of a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight. The aircraft descended sharply but the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to restrain the attacker. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Sources report the flight carried either 174 passengers (Gulf News) or 182 people including crew (The Independent). All on board survived.

What the reports add

Gulf News noted that Machchhar, after undergoing surgery in Tabuk, was in stable condition and was air‑lifted to a UAE hospital on Thursday. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said the ambassador, Dr Deepak Mittal, visited the captain and his family that evening. The Independent added that Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video call, describing his struggle to stay conscious and his belief that getting up was essential to saving the passengers.

What was said

Gulf News quoted the Indian Embassy: “Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well. The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well‑being.” The embassy also said the mission conveyed appreciation for his “extraordinary courage, presence of mind and selfless efforts”. The Independent reported Machchhar telling Modi, “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.”

How it came about

The cockpit altercation on 30 September prompted an emergency diversion to Tabuk, an event covered by Felo News in several pieces, including the ambassador’s earlier meeting with the pilot’s family and an interview where Machchhar recounted the struggle. The UAE opened a special investigation into possible terrorist motives, and Indian and Gujarat authorities announced support and awards for the pilot.

Key facts

Captain Smit Machchhar was air‑lifted from Saudi Arabia to the UAE (gulfnews.com)
Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal visited the pilot and his family at the hospital (gulfnews.com)
Machchhar was injured during a cockpit attack on flydubai flight FZ1073 on 30 Sept 2026 (independent.co.uk)
The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and all on board survived (independent.co.uk)