not everywhere· Security· Updated
Ethiopian Airlines Flight Diverted Due to Indonesian Pilot
An Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight bound for Tel Aviv was forced to turn back to Addis Ababa overnight between Sunday and Monday after Israeli authorities identified an Indonesian pilot on board. Israel does not maintain diplomatic relations with Indonesia, and its citizens are barred from flying into the country due to security concerns. The flight crew manifest was reportedly submitted to Israel only after the aircraft had already departed, prompting security and airport personnel to deny landing permission and order the plane to return.
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What happened
- 01An Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight was forced to turn back to Addis Ababa after an Indonesian pilot was identified on board.
- 02Israel denied the aircraft landing permission because it lacks diplomatic relations with Indonesia.
- 03The pilot was replaced in Ethiopia, and the flight subsequently completed its journey to Israel safely.
- 04The incident occurred less than two weeks after an Omani pilot on a flydubai flight allegedly attempted to crash the plane.
- 05New Transportation Ministry directives prohibit crew members from countries without diplomatic ties from flying to Israel.
- 06The cargo flight's crew manifest was transmitted to Israeli authorities only after the plane had already departed.
- 07A Knesset subcommittee meeting revealed that over 1,200 crew members from countries without diplomatic ties may have previously entered Israel.
Upon returning to Addis Ababa, which required the aircraft to jettison fuel over the sea, the pilot was replaced. The flight then resumed its journey and landed safely in Israel. Ethiopian Airlines stated that it was an oversight and they were unaware the pilot was prohibited from flying to Israel.
The incident follows a recent security scare less than two weeks prior, in which an Omani pilot on a flydubai flight allegedly attempted to crash or hijack the plane. In response, Israel's Transportation Ministry intensified regulations, barring crew members who hold citizenship from nations without formal diplomatic ties from flying into the country. Security agencies have reportedly warned for years about inadequate checks on foreign aircrews, with a Knesset subcommittee hearing revealing that over 1,200 crew members from countries without diplomatic relations, such as Iran, may have previously entered Israel.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Mako. Read Mako’s original
The coverage
4 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- Centre3
- Right1
- HarediNone
- ArabNone
Not in the Left, Haredi or Arab press
