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International
Netanyahu lauds Indian pilot Smit Machchar for saving 174 passengers on flydubai flight
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 01 Oct 2026, 06:19 AM
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian captain Smit Machchar for opening the cockpit door of a flydubai aircraft, an act that helped rescue 174 people on board.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly commended Indian pilot Capt. Smit Machchar for his decisive action during a recent flydubai emergency. The Israeli leader highlighted the captain’s courage in a statement that praised the Indian aviator’s quick thinking.
According to reports, Machchar opened the aircraft’s cockpit door after a technical malfunction threatened the safety of the flight. His intervention allowed crew members to evacuate passengers safely, ultimately saving the lives of 174 people on board.
Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the growing appreciation of Indian professionals on the global stage and reflect the close diplomatic ties between India and Israel. The pilot’s heroism has been widely reported in Indian media, reinforcing the narrative of Indian expertise in international aviation safety.
According to reports, Machchar opened the aircraft’s cockpit door after a technical malfunction threatened the safety of the flight. His intervention allowed crew members to evacuate passengers safely, ultimately saving the lives of 174 people on board.
Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the growing appreciation of Indian professionals on the global stage and reflect the close diplomatic ties between India and Israel. The pilot’s heroism has been widely reported in Indian media, reinforcing the narrative of Indian expertise in international aviation safety.