Israel Mandates Nationality Checks for Foreign Airline Crews
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Israel's Ministry of Transportation now requires foreign airlines to verify the nationality of all flight crews entering its airspace, with airlines bearing full responsibility. The new rules were prompted by concerns over a recent incident involving an Omani pilot on a Flydubai flight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of foreign flight procedures within the National Security Council.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Foreign airlines must now verify crew nationalities for all flights to or over Israel.
- Airlines are solely responsible for ensuring crew members do not hold citizenship from non-diplomatic nations.
- The new directives were issued following alleged negligence allowing an Omani pilot on a Flydubai flight.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a review of foreign flight procedures by the National Security Council.
- Visa requirements for short-term crew stays are being considered by the Ministry of Defense.
Israel's Ministry of Transportation has issued new directives requiring foreign airlines to conduct nationality checks on their crew members for all flights entering Israeli airspace or landing in the country. These regulations, which took effect immediately, place the responsibility for verifying crew identities squarely on the airlines. The Ministry of Defense is reportedly still exploring methods to confirm the identities of crew on commercial flights, including the possibility of requiring visas for crew members staying in Israel for up to 24 hours, though this would not apply to transit flights.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, airlines must ensure that all flight crew members operating flights into Israeli airspace have undergone up-to-date background and security checks in accordance with national regulations. The directives also stipulate that airlines are solely responsible for verifying that no crew member holds citizenship or dual citizenship from a country that does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Israel.
These new rules follow a report that senior security officials accused the Transportation Ministry's security department of negligence, allegedly allowing an Omani pilot, Hamaam Al-Hamaami, to serve as a co-pilot on a Flydubai flight to Israel. Security officials stated that the operational center for aviation security was responsible for this oversight, emphasizing that an Omani pilot should not have been allowed to enter the country. While the Shin Bet is responsible for securing Israeli airlines, the Ministry of Transportation oversees chartered flights operated by both Israeli and foreign companies.
In response to these concerns, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an investigation into the procedures governing foreign flights to Israel. This review will be conducted within the National Security Council, a process that had been recommended in 2024 but is only now being implemented.
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