Israel restricts crew from 27 nationalities on flights to Israel
In short
Israel's Transport Ministry has told foreign airlines that crew holding single or dual nationality of 27 countries, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, may not operate or travel on flights to Israel. Business outlets said the notice follows a recent incident in which an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai aircraft. Xinhua reported the 27-country restriction without naming the countries or the cause.
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Israel's Transport Ministry has notified foreign airlines that crew members holding single or dual nationality of 27 countries — including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia — are barred from operating or travelling on flights to Israel, according to CLS and Jiemian, both citing Israeli reports. Jiemian, attributing the information to CCTV News, said it was learned on October 4 local time. Xinhua reported the restriction covering 27 nationalities but did not list the countries or give a reason. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
CLS and Jiemian said the notice follows a recent incident in which an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai aircraft. Neither report gave further detail on the incident, and neither said when the notice itself was issued, beyond describing it as having been sent 日前 — days ago. The seven countries named in the reports are part of a list of 27 that the documents do not set out in full. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The notice directly affects foreign carriers and their crew rostering on routes to Israel, and adds a nationality-based screening rule to aviation security procedures. It follows an in-flight attack on a flight crew, which the documents describe only as recent, leaving the practical scope of the restriction for airlines unclear.
Key facts
- Israel's Transport Ministry sent a notice to foreign airlines restricting crew on flights to Israel, according to Israeli reports cited by CLS and Jiemian. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Crew holding single or dual nationality of 27 countries are barred from operating or travelling on flights to Israel, the reports said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The named countries include Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The stated cause is a recent incident in which an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai aircraft. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Jiemian, citing CCTV News, said the information was learned on October 4 local time. [ 2 ]
- Xinhua reported the restriction on crew of 27 nationalities without listing the countries or giving a reason. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Israel's Transport Ministry notified foreign airlines of restrictions on crew flying to Israel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The restriction covers crew with single or dual nationality of 27 countries. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are among the listed countries. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The restriction follows an incident in which an Omani co-pilot attacked a flydubai captain. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The full list of the 27 countries covered by the notice. CLS and Jiemian name seven countries and say the list totals 27; Xinhua gives only the number, so the remaining countries are not stated in the documents.
- The date the notice was issued. CLS and Jiemian say only that the ministry issued the notice 日前 (“days ago”), with no specific date.
- Details of the flydubai attack, including when and where it happened and its outcome. Both documents mention the incident only as the stated reason for the notice and give no further detail.
- The exact scope of the ban, beyond operating or travelling on flights to Israel. The documents describe crew being barred from operating or boarding flights to Israel but do not say whether other duties or transit are covered.
- Who confirmed the notice publicly. CLS and Jiemian attribute it to unnamed Israeli sources (“以色列方面消息称”); no Israeli official statement is quoted.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Jiemian, citing CCTV News, says the information on the Israeli notice was learned on October 4 local time. [ 2 ]
- CLS reports that Israel's Transport Ministry has told foreign airlines crew with nationality of 27 countries, including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, may not operate or travel on flights to Israel. [ 1 ]
- Jiemian publishes the same notice, citing CCTV News. [ 2 ]
- Xinhua reports Israel's restriction on crew of 27 nationalities for flights to Israel. [ 3 ]