Israeli Airlines Operate Thousands of Flights Without Onboard Security Personnel

Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir, along with Sun Dor to a lesser extent, are utilizing a significant number of "wet lease" flights, where foreign aircraft and crews are chartered. These flights, which constitute a substantial portion of their operations during peak tourist season, do not mandate the presence of Israeli security personnel onboard. Furthermore, the security screening conducted at foreign airports for these flights relies solely on local airport standards, which reportedly do not meet Israeli profiling and questioning protocols.

Despite operating as Israeli flights, with crews staying in Israel and flying to and from Tel Aviv, the crews themselves are not Israeli nationals. The airlines confirm that they submit the names of these flight crews to the Shin Bet and Mossad for vetting prior to the flights. However, the absence of Israeli security on the aircraft raises concerns, particularly in light of a previous incident involving a Flydubai plane hijacking attempt.

Data indicates that in July 2026, 70% of Arkia's flights and 56% of Israir's flights were chartered. In the second quarter of 2026, over 3,000 flights for each airline were on leased aircraft. While information about a flight being chartered is usually available on booking platforms, it is often presented in small print, making it difficult for passengers to discern.

The Shin Bet has repeatedly warned about the security gaps in these chartered flights, issuing three separate documents to the Minister of Transport, the Ministry of Transportation, and the National Security Council, highlighting deficiencies in the screening process. The Shin Bet recommended transferring oversight of chartered flights to the Civil Aviation Authority, a recommendation that Minister Miri Regev reportedly did not accept. The article also notes that the Ministry of Transportation has not established a risk assessment framework for leasing companies.

Both Israir and Arkia have responded, emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety and adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements. Israir stated that their policy of using wet leases was presented to and approved by the Prime Minister, aiming to balance limited Israeli aviation security capabilities with the need for regular flights. They also noted that foreign companies undergo vetting by the Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Transportation, and that crews are typically European and financially vetted. Arkia stressed that chartered flights operate under strict requirements and coordination with Israeli authorities, with crews residing in Israel and being from countries with diplomatic relations with Israel. Both airlines maintain that their security protocols, while not always directly conducted by them, ensure passenger safety and compliance with international standards.