Israel's Transport Ministry Lacks Oversight on Foreign Airline Crew Entry

Four days after a failed hijacking attempt of a Flydubai plane, Israel's Ministry of Transport has not yet implemented new procedures to prevent similar incidents. The ministry claims it lacks the personnel and authority to verify that foreign airline crew members have no criminal backgrounds or malicious intent, relying instead on the airlines' own vetting processes. Dvir Rubinstein, Director of Aviation Security at the Ministry of Transport, stated that discussions are ongoing with security agencies to determine necessary measures. However, no operational changes have been made since the incident involving the plane carrying 174 passengers.

Rubinstein explained that Israel cannot completely halt foreign aviation and relies on the security of the airlines' countries of origin, a standard international practice. He noted that Israeli security does not extend to foreign airports and that the risk posed by ground staff, like a food preparer, is comparable to that of a pilot. Currently, the Tax Authority, not the Ministry of Transport, receives information on incoming aircrews.

Due to security gaps, the Ministry of Transport admits it is unaware if pilots from hostile nations such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria have landed in Israel in recent years, similar to the co-pilot, identified as an Omani citizen. The ministry cannot confirm if such instances have occurred, their origins, or their frequency. Shmuel Zakai, Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated that the authority does not handle security matters.

The central question remains how an Omani citizen was allowed to be part of a flight crew to Israel. Details revealed about the co-pilot indicated he was an Omani citizen previously employed by other airlines. The Ministry of Transport cannot explain his assignment to the flight, but clarified that Flydubai did not adhere to regulations. Zakai asserted that all passengers are screened, and passport information is processed automatically, indicating who is permitted or denied entry to Israel. He stated definitively that the co-pilot should not have been on the flight, as Omani citizens are barred from entering Israel, regardless of any other passports they might hold.

Flydubai's decision to suspend flights to Israel was made at the request of the UAE authorities, who are investigating whether the co-pilot acted alone or if other crew members were involved. Israeli transport and security bodies are continuing their investigation, and a decision on Flydubai's return to operating flights to Israel has not yet been made.