10 African Countries Hit by Israel’s Foreign Airline Crew Restrictions
The order follows a FlyDubai cockpit incident and could suspend airlines that assign crew with nationality from countries lacking ties to Israel.
- Israel Ministry of Transport issued a directive on October 7 prohibiting pilots and cabin crew from countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights entering Israeli airspace. Airlines failing to comply risk immediate suspension or revocation of their authorization.
- Following a FlyDubai incident last month, an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to seize control of the plane, which landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The directive addresses security concerns stemming from this event.
- Air France identified 31 countries affected by the restrictions, while United Airlines listed 29 in internal memos disclosed on October 10. The ban extends to crew members holding dual nationality, complicating airline staffing.
- Among the nations affected are at least 10 African countries: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia. Airlines must comply or face operational suspension.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the head of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to appoint an examiner to conduct a thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel.
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African Insider10 African countries hit by Israel’s foreign airline crew restrictions
At least ten African countries have been caught up in Israel’s new restrictions on foreign airline pilots and cabin crew, following a security incident aboard a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. According to Business Insider Africa, the affected countries are Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia. The restrictions, issued by Israel’s Ministry of Transport... Read more →
United Airlines Restricts Dual-Nationality Crews on Israel Flights as Security Scrutiny Intensifies Following Flydubai Cockpit Attack
United Airlines Restricts Dual-Nationality Crews on Israel Flights as Security Scrutiny Intensifies Following Flydubai Cockpit Attack By: Jeff Gorman United Airlines has informed its flight crews that employees holding citizenship or dual nationality from 29 designated countries may be prohibited from operating or traveling aboard flights entering Israeli airspace, reflecting heightened aviation security concerns following a disturbing cockpit a…
10 African countries caught up in Israel’s restrictions on foreign airline pilots and cabin crew
At least 10 African countries are among the nationalities affected by new Israeli restrictions barring certain foreign airline pilots and cabin crew from operating or travelling on flights to and from Israel.
United Airlines, Air France restrict crew on Israel flights
United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) and Air France (AF, Paris CDG) have informed flight and cabin crew of nationality restrictions imposed by Israel following the attempted hijacking by a first officer of a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion on September 30, 2026, according to internal memos cited by US blog Live and Let’s Fly and French online newspaper Mediapart. This follows an Israeli Ministry of Transport security directive requiring a…
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