El Al Passengers Unaware of Security Differences on Wet-Leased Flights

Many passengers booking flights with Israeli airlines may not be aware that the actual flight could be operated by a foreign carrier with a different security protocol, according to Israeli journalist Roi Yanovsky.

Yanovsky explained on Kan 11 that while flights on Israeli aircraft adhere to a security system coordinated by the Shin Bet, flights sold under an Israeli airline's code but operated by foreign companies using their planes and crews do not implement this Israeli security oversight. This practice, known as "wet leasing," means passengers might purchase a ticket from an Israeli airline but fly on a foreign plane with foreign personnel.

He cited El Al as an example, stating that passengers can buy tickets from the Israeli carrier for flights that will ultimately be operated by a foreign airline. At the time of his report, Israeli airlines collectively wet-leased 23 aircraft. Yanovsky emphasized, "Not everyone who books a ticket through Israeli airlines will receive the security system they expect."

This issue gained further attention following a recent incident on a Flydubai flight to Israel. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an alleged violent altercation in the cockpit, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a pilot stabbing his colleague and attempting to crash the plane. Passengers and a crew member reportedly intervened to neutralize the attacker.

Separately, a 2025 Israir report indicated that in August 2021, the Israeli government approved significant security relaxations for flights operated under a company's code using foreign aircraft via wet lease. Israir stated this allows for greater operational flexibility, particularly during peak seasons, though the report did not detail the specific security measures applied.

Despite the security concerns raised, El Al's shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange closed up 7.93% at 1850 agorot following the Flydubai incident.