UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the flydubai crew involved in the September 30 incident aboard flight FZ1073, in recognition of their efforts to protect passengers.
The honours were presented by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, at a ceremony on Tuesday (October 27).
Sheikh Hamdan commended the crew for their courage and sense of responsibility in ensuring passenger safety during the incident.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, also praised the crew, describing their actions as an act of bravery that highlighted the importance of protecting human life.
Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when it was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia following an altercation in the cockpit.
The UAE Public Prosecution later said the co-pilot had attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane landed safely, with the crew’s intervention helping to protect those on board.