Pilot averted potential catastrophe, says UAE top official as Trump sends Iran a warning

The UAE has praised flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and professionalism after a serious incident on board a passenger aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said Machchhar’s actions helped avert a potential catastrophe during what the UAE described as a serious terrorist incident.

Machchhar was at the controls of the flydubai aircraft when the plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing on Wednesday. He was seriously injured during an attack by the co-pilot.

After the emergency landing, Machchhar was initially treated in Saudi Arabia before being airlifted to the UAE. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.

Gargash said Machchhar deserved the highest praise for his actions during the incident. He highlighted the pilot’s courage and responsibility while dealing with the situation in the cockpit.

The UAE official also stressed the need for continued vigilance against possible acts of extremism and terrorism. He cautioned against the spread of conspiracy theories surrounding the incident.

Authorities in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries have been dealing with the aftermath of the incident involving the flydubai flight.

The incident has also drawn wider international attention amid developments involving the United States and Iran, with US President Donald Trump issuing a warning to Iran.