Israeli Airlines Operate Thousands of Flights Without Onboard Security Personnel

Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir are operating a significant portion of their fleets using "wet leases," a practice where foreign airlines provide aircraft and crew. This method, also used by Sun D'or to a lesser extent, means that thousands of flights are departing without Israeli security personnel onboard. Unlike flights with Israeli crews, there is no mandatory requirement for a security agent on these leased flights. Furthermore, the security screening at foreign airports for these flights relies solely on the local airport's procedures, which reportedly do not meet Israeli standards for passenger profiling and questioning.

Data from July 2026 indicates that 70% of Arkia's flights and 56% of Israir's flights were wet-leased. In the second quarter of 2026, over 3,000 flights for each airline were on leased aircraft. While the airlines do transfer the names of the flight crews to the Shin Bet and Mossad, the crews themselves, though functioning as Israeli crews and residing in Israel, are not Israeli citizens. Information about a flight being leased is often presented in small print on booking platforms.

The Shin Bet has repeatedly warned about the security risks associated with these leased flights, highlighting that the screening processes do not meet required standards. Three separate documents were sent in recent months to the Minister of Transport, the Ministry of Transport, and the National Security Council, detailing these gaps. The Shin Bet recommended transferring oversight of leased flights to the Civil Aviation Authority, a recommendation that Minister Miri Regev reportedly did not accept.

Israir stated that passenger safety is their top priority and that their wet-lease policy was presented to and approved by the Prime Minister. They emphasized that this policy balances limited Israeli aviation security capabilities with the need for regular flights. Israir also noted that foreign airlines undergo vetting by the Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Transport, and that they exclusively contract with companies employing European crews after financial due diligence. They added that foreign crews are screened upon entry to Israel, and that the absence of direct Israeli security checks by Israir does not mean crews are not vetted.

Arkia responded by stating that leased flights are not without oversight or security requirements, calling it a common and accepted model in aviation. They asserted that their leased operations adhere to strict requirements and coordination with Israeli authorities. Arkia requires crews to be from countries with diplomatic relations with Israel and that crew details are provided to security agencies. They also stated that their partner companies meet stringent international standards, including their own security programs and background checks for staff. Arkia stressed that the method of screening and security at each destination is determined by authorized security bodies and approved flight plans, and that leasing does not diminish their responsibility for passenger safety and regulatory compliance.