NEW DELHI, Oct. 3
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured during an attack aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv earlier this week, is recovering well and receiving medical care in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates Embassy in India said on Saturday.
The update comes days after Machchhar suffered multiple injuries during a violent confrontation inside the cockpit of flydubai Flight FZ1073, an incident that forced the aircraft to divert and make an emergency landing in Tabuk.
The UAE Embassy said it was closely following Machchhar’s condition and expressed appreciation for the medical assistance being provided to him.
The mission said the captain was recovering well and praised his courage during the emergency.
Machchhar has received widespread recognition for his actions after he was allegedly attacked by the flight’s co-pilot while the aircraft was travelling towards Israel.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, the Indian captain resisted the alleged attacker before passengers and crew members intervened and helped bring the situation under control.
The aircraft, carrying more than 170 passengers, subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely at Tabuk.
Machchhar was taken to hospital after landing and treated for injuries sustained during the confrontation.
The latest statement from the UAE Embassy provides a reassuring update on his condition after earlier reports described extensive injuries and significant blood loss.
The embassy also thanked Saudi authorities for the assistance and medical treatment extended to the injured captain following the emergency landing.
The incident has attracted attention in India and internationally, with political leaders praising Machchhar’s actions during the crisis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier described the captain as a “hero” and said he had demonstrated immense courage despite being seriously wounded.
Modi said Machchhar’s actions helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy, while wishing him a speedy recovery and good health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also publicly addressed the incident and the actions that prevented the flight from ending in catastrophe.
The cockpit confrontation remains under investigation, and authorities have yet to publicly establish the motive behind the alleged attack.
The suspect was taken into custody in Saudi Arabia after the aircraft landed.
Machchhar is an experienced Boeing 737 pilot who joined flydubai after a lengthy career in Indian commercial aviation.
He previously worked with SpiceJet for about a decade, including in senior flying and training roles, before joining the Dubai-based carrier.
His experience became particularly significant during the emergency, when the aircraft had to be stabilised and safely diverted following the confrontation.
The UAE Embassy’s statement also highlights the multinational response to the incident.
The aircraft was operated by a UAE-based airline, was travelling from Dubai to Israel and eventually landed in Saudi Arabia, while the seriously injured captain is an Indian national.
Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia have also been following Machchhar’s treatment and maintaining contact with his family and local authorities.
The focus has now increasingly shifted from the dramatic circumstances aboard the flight to the captain’s recovery.
While investigators continue examining what happened inside the cockpit and what motivated the alleged attacker, Machchhar remains under medical care.
The UAE Embassy’s latest assessment that he is recovering well represents the clearest positive update on his condition since the incident.
For his family and those following the case in India, it also provides reassurance after several days in which the severity of his injuries had been a major concern.
Machchhar’s actions during the emergency have already drawn praise from leaders in India and abroad. His recovery is now being closely watched as investigations into the extraordinary cockpit attack continue.
