Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has visited Smit Matchehar, the flydubai captain who secured flight FZ1073 following the co-pilot’s attack on 30 September.
In a post on X on 3 October, Sheikh Hamdan shared photographs from the meeting and said the pilot “embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and concern for human life.” He added that both he and the UAE’s leadership extended their full appreciation and praise to Matchehar, saying they were proud to have him as part of their team “and part of our country’s story.”
The UAE’s Attorney-General confirmed earlier this week that the co-pilot had attacked the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft in what investigators described as a terrorist act. The flight, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 172 passengers and crew on board, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. All on board were safe.
flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith previously commended the professionalism shown by the captain and the pilots who landed the aircraft safely. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
