India, Oct. 29 -- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members on Tuesday, October 27 for their bravery in protecting passengers during a reported cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, at a presidential reception. According to the Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Hamdan praised the crew for their courage, professionalism and commitment to passenger safety.

The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying more than 170 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv...