Israel tightens restrictions on aircraft crews from 30 countries after the “Fly Dubai” incident, including dual nationals

Tel Aviv - Ofoq News - Israel has tightened its security measures regarding foreign aircraft crews heading to Ben Gurion Airport, and imposed restrictions on the participation of pilots and cabin crew members with nationalities from about 30 countries on flights to Israel, following the security incident that occurred on board a Flydubai flight on September 30 last year.

Israeli media reported that the new instructions include citizens of countries that do not have official diplomatic relations with Israel, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Oman, and Malaysia. The restrictions also include people with dual citizenship, even if they hold a US or European passport.

According to reports, airlines must submit crew member data 48 hours before take-off, while lists of 29 countries appeared in internal documents of United Airlines, and 31 countries in documents linked to Air France.

The French companies Air France and the Czech Smartwings confirmed receiving the instructions and acting in accordance with them, noting the need to adhere to the security requirements of the countries to which they operate flights.

The new measures come after a serious incident witnessed by Flydubai flight FZ1073, heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the Omani co-pilot attacked the pilot of the plane inside the cockpit, in an incident that the UAE authorities said investigations indicate was an attempt to target Ben Gurion Airport.