The Gujarat government on Thursday announced that Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar will be honoured with the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for extraordinary courage during a mid-air emergency that could have ended in catastrophe.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the pilot’s actions had drawn salutes from around the world. “Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers—a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable,” Patel wrote on X. He called Machchhar a “valiant son of Gujarat” whose heroism had “illuminated the name of Gujarat and the nation,” and said the award would recognise an “extraordinary act of bravery and humanity.” The chief minister also prayed for his swift recovery.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi echoed the announcement, saying Gujarat was proud of its “brave son.” Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office told IANS that the state has also approved a cash reward of ₹25 lakh.
The honour follows a dramatic incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. Reports say the captain was stabbed and seriously injured. Bleeding heavily, he still managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. Two Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers then helped bring the aircraft down. The jet, which had gone into a steep descent, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely. All on board survived.
Praise has come from the highest levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Machchhar a “HERO,” citing his “remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage,” and spoke to the pilot’s family. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saluted his “extraordinary bravery,” noting that despite being stabbed, he fought back, opened the door, and enabled others to subdue the attacker. US President Donald Trump has also been reported among those who praised him.
Machchhar, now recovering in a hospital in Tabuk, has deep roots in Gujarat’s Wadhwan in Surendranagar district, while his family is based in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar. A commercial pilot with more than 13 years’ experience and nearly 9,750 flying hours, he joined Flydubai as a captain in June 2022 after more than 11 years with SpiceJet, where he served as a commander and line training captain. Special prayers for his recovery have been held at Somnath temple.
