Security Lapses on Flights From UAE Questioned After Dubai Air Incident

An attempted security breach on a Flydubai flight has raised significant questions regarding the security protocols for flights arriving in Israel from the United Arab Emirates, and the division of responsibility among various Israeli security and aviation bodies. The incident has highlighted concerns about who is responsible for ensuring flight crew meet Israeli requirements and who monitors foreign airlines.

Shin Bet head David Zini had reportedly warned for months that the security measures on flights from the UAE were insufficient. These warnings primarily concerned Israeli airlines, for which the Shin Bet is directly responsible for security oversight. While the Shin Bet does not directly oversee foreign airlines like Flydubai, its concerns about the general security environment in the UAE are seen as relevant to the incident. It is believed that stricter security measures might have prevented the breach.

Foreign commercial flights entering Israel undergo multiple layers of approval and oversight. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grants operating permits to foreign carriers and sets their operational conditions in Israel, conducting inspections of foreign airlines and aircraft. The Ministry of Transport's Aviation Security Operations Center (ASOC) also monitors security procedures for aircraft entering Israeli airspace. Despite these mechanisms, the incident raises questions about how a pilot from a country without diplomatic ties to Israel was able to bypass existing rules.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that a "loophole" existed, stating that the co-pilot from Oman managed to circumvent regulations. He confirmed that measures are being taken to address this and ensure pre-flight checks for pilots are conducted. The incident prompts further inquiry into how an existing rule, intended to prevent such situations, failed in practice.

These issues of responsibility are not new. A May 2024 report by State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman on international aviation security from and to Israel recommended a comprehensive review of international aviation security, including inbound foreign flights. While the report did not specifically address flights from the UAE or identify the recent failure, its recommendation to clarify responsibilities and resource allocation among various agencies has gained renewed significance.