MUMBAI, Oct 2: The Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai has honoured flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with a billboard message after he helped prevent an alleged attempt to crash an Israel bound flight.
Israel Consul General in Mumbai Yaniv Revach shared a photograph of the billboard on X, describing Machchhar as “India’s new hero” and thanking him for his actions during the incident.
The billboard carried the message: “Thank You Captain Smit for saving lives. We wish you a speedy recovery.”
Revach said Israel would remember Machchhar’s name and expressed hope that the pilot would recover soon, adding that Israel looked forward to welcoming him.
The incident involved flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft issued emergency signals before making a steep descent of more than 17,000 feet from an altitude of 34,000 feet.
The Boeing aircraft was subsequently diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. There were 174 people on board, including 27 children.
Videos shared on social media after the incident showed Machchhar covered in blood and wearing an oxygen mask while lying in the aircraft’s galley.
The pilot was later taken for medical treatment as authorities continued to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.