Flydubai Incident Raises Questions on Israeli Aviation Security Oversight

A near-disaster on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, where a co-pilot allegedly attempted to hijack or crash the plane, has ignited serious questions about Israel's security protocols for foreign flights entering its airspace. The incident occurred more than two years after the State Comptroller's office highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of international aviation security in a report. This review, which included foreign civilian and private aircraft entering Israeli airspace, was heavily censored for security reasons.

The Comptroller recommended that the National Security Council, in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Israel Airports Authority, Shin Bet, and police, conduct a thorough examination of all aspects of international civilian aviation security. The report noted that some government and security cabinet decisions on the matter dated back to the 1970s, indicating a significant lack of updates.

While acknowledging that even the most stringent security measures cannot always prevent attacks, especially unique incidents like a pilot attempting suicide, the near-catastrophe suggests that the recommended review was not completed and its recommendations were not implemented. A public dispute between the Shin Bet, led by David Zini, and the Ministry of Transport, headed by Miri Regev, has exposed apparent chaos in aviation security.

Investigators are examining how a flight with a co-pilot holding Omani citizenship was cleared to enter Israel. Unlike Israeli airlines, which receive passenger lists vetted by security services a day in advance, foreign flights entering Israel do not undergo such passenger screening due to legal and security constraints. However, questions remain whether Israeli security services demand and receive pilot information from foreign airlines in advance, and if so, whether the Flydubai incident was an isolated lapse or a systemic failure.

A security official, reportedly from the Shin Bet, blamed the Ministry of Transport for failing to enforce regulations requiring foreign airlines to submit pilot and crew details for vetting. Minister Regev demanded an immediate halt to Flydubai flights until the incident is fully investigated, claiming the airline violated an aviation agreement that restricts landings to pilots from countries with diplomatic relations with Israel. Reports indicate dozens of Omani pilots have flown for Flydubai into Israel in recent years, suggesting the issue is not isolated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response focused on a photo opportunity with returning passengers at Ben Gurion Airport, rather than addressing the security lapse. The National Security Council stated in May 2024 that it was leading a comprehensive review of aviation security, but no update on its completion or recommendations has been publicly released. The article suggests that given Netanyahu's past actions regarding other security failures, a thorough investigation and accountability are unlikely unless public pressure mounts.