Two Kenyan cabin crew members have received a prestigious United Arab Emirates (UAE) state honour for their role in responding to a mid-air emergency aboard a Flydubai passenger plane.

David Kimotho and John Muchina were awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in recognition of their courage and professionalism during the September incident.

The awards were presented by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The recognition highlighted the crew members’ efforts to protect passengers during a dangerous situation aboard the aircraft.

How the Mid-Air Emergency Unfolded

The incident occurred on September 30 aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board.

During the flight, the first officer allegedly attacked the captain, leaving him seriously injured and triggering an emergency response involving crew members and passengers.

Kimotho and Muchina helped attend to the injured pilot and maintain order in the cabin as the situation unfolded.

Footage recorded inside the aircraft captured one of the crew members speaking Kiswahili while asking a colleague to check whether the injured captain was still responsive.

Their actions formed part of a wider effort by crew members and passengers to manage the emergency and secure the aircraft.

Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia

The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.

The injured captain received initial treatment at a hospital in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further medical care. The first officer was taken into custody following the incident.

The Kenyan cabin crew members were recognised alongside Captain Smit Machchhar and other Flydubai personnel involved in responding to the emergency.

Their award highlights the important role cabin crew play in protecting passengers and assisting injured people when unexpected emergencies occur during flights.

The incident also drew international attention to the actions of the crew and passengers who helped bring the dangerous situation under control.