NRI Focus

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a health update stating that Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured on September 30 when his co-pilot attacked him, ‘continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health’. The mission said, in a post on X, that ‘it remains in close touch with his family, doctors and local authorities, extending all possible assistance’. “We thank everyone for their prayers and wish him a speedy recovery,” it added.

The UAE, as part of leading the investigation into the attempted hijacking on board Flydubai’s FZ1073, has admitted that pilots’ licenses and security passes were usually handled at the national level. Yet, the alleged hijacker of the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv managed to gain entry into the UAE, which raises questions on the ‘strict security protocols’ in force. The suspect was removed from his previous job at Oman’s national airline for his extremist views.

ഫ്‌ളൈദുബായിയുടെ ദുബായ്-ടെൽ അവീവ് ഫ്ലൈറ്റിൽ ക്യാപ്റ്റനെ ആക്രമിച്ച കോ-പൈലറ്റ് വിമാനം തട്ടിയെടുത്തു തകർക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കയായിരുന്നു എന്ന വിശ്വാസത്തിലാണ് ലോകം എന്നു കരുതുന്നത് വെറും സാമാന്യ യുക്തി മാത്രമാണ്. അതൊരു ഭീകരാക്രമണ പദ്ധതിയുടെ ഭാഗമായിരുന്നു എന്നു യു എ ഇ അറ്റോണി ജനറൽ ഹമദ് സൈഫ് അൽ ഷംസി വ്യക്തമായി പറഞ്ഞത് അവിശ്വസിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യവുമില്ല. ഒമാനിയായ പൈലറ്റ് ഹമാം അൽ ഹമാമിയെ യു എ ഇ അധികൃതർ ചോദ്യം ചെയ്തതിനു ശേഷമുള്ള പ്രാഥമികമായ അറിയിപ്പാണത്.

The Attorney-General of the UAE, Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has said that investigations into the incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 reveals that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act. While announcing that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances, Al Shamsi said the co-pilot began executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft.

The UAE has called the hijack attempt on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight an act of terrorism and praised the courage of Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for saving the lives of 172 people on board.

Captain Smit Machchhar family is with him in Dubai now even as the ‘hero’ is recovering well at a hospital in the UAE. Machchhar, who underwent an emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia, was airlifted for advanced medical care to the Military Hospital in Dubai, where a team of specialised doctors are closely monitoring him. His family from Mumbai met him at the hospital, and are receiving prompt updates on his health from the medical team.

Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney-General of the UAE, has ordered the formation of an investigation team comprising specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, which was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv before being diverted and landing safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Indian citizen Smit Machchhar is being celebrated worldwide for his on-flight bravery. Machchhar has been working as pilot with Flydubai, a low-cost carrier owned by the Emirati government, for four years. He was with SpiceJet for 10 years before that. A Flydubai flight Boeing 737 took off with over 170 passengers from Dubai airport on Wednesday this week. Machchhar was piloting the flight. While cruising at a height of about 34,000 feet, the co-pilot tried to sabotage the Israel-bound aircraft.

A FlyDubai flight 1073, which departed Dubai, made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. After climbing to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet, the Tel Aviv bound flight began a steep descent, followed by a sharp ascent, and another sharp descent. The aircraft’s altitude began oscillating between ‘general emergency’ and ‘unlawful interference’, indicating significant trouble. While flying along the Saudi-Jordanian border, the turbulence became uncontrollable.

The 14th meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) was held in Mumbai on September 28, 2026, co-chaired by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Minister of Foreign Trade of the UAE Dr. Thani bin Al Zeyoudi also participated.