not everywhere· Security· Updated 12 Oct, 22:43

Ethiopian Cargo Plane Diverted From Israel Over Pilot's Indonesian Citizenship

An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane flying from Addis Ababa to Ben Gurion Airport was denied entry into Israeli airspace and forced to turn back on the night of October 11-12, 2026, after an Indonesian crew member was identified on board. Indonesia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and its citizens require special entry permits. The flight manifest was submitted to Israeli authorities only after the plane had already departed, triggering a security alert while the aircraft was still in Ethiopian airspace.

12 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 12 Oct, 19:23

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What happened

01An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane was denied entry to Israel and forced to return to Addis Ababa due to an Indonesian crew member on board.
02The flight manifest was submitted late, and Israeli security systems flagged the Indonesian national's presence after the plane was already airborne.
03The Indonesian pilot was replaced in Addis Ababa, allowing the cargo flight to resume its journey and land safely at Ben Gurion Airport.
04Ethiopian Airlines called the incident an oversight, stating they were unaware of Israel's entry restrictions for Indonesian citizens.
05New Ministry of Transport directives prohibit crew members from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel from operating flights to the country.
06The stricter rules follow a September 30 incident where an Omani Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attempted to hijack and crash a flight to Israel.
07Israeli airlines have independently hired cybersecurity firms to vet the social media activities of approximately 2,500 foreign flight crew members.
08A planned meeting between Israeli and UAE transport officials was canceled, effectively halting all flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Following the diversion, the cargo plane returned to Addis Ababa, where the Indonesian pilot was replaced by another crew member. The flight then resumed its journey and landed safely in Israel. Ethiopian Airlines attributed the incident to an oversight, stating they were unaware that the pilot's nationality would prevent participation in a flight to Israel.

This incident occurred under strict new security directives issued by Israel's Ministry of Transport on October 1, which prohibit foreign airlines from assigning crew members from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel on flights to the country. The regulations were enacted after a September 30 incident in which an Omani co-pilot on a Flydubai flight allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane before being thwarted by passengers and an alternate crew.

In response to these security vulnerabilities, Israeli airlines such as Arkia and Israir have proactively hired cybersecurity firms to conduct independent background checks and social media scans on approximately 2,500 foreign pilots and flight attendants. Meanwhile, a planned meeting between Israeli and UAE transportation officials to discuss the Flydubai incident was canceled, halting flights between the two countries.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 11 newsrooms. Updated 12 Oct, 22:43