PARIS— Air France (AF) has confirmed that it is complying with new Israeli restrictions preventing pilots and cabin crew holding the nationality, or dual nationality, of countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights into or over Israeli airspace.
The measure reportedly affects nationals of 31 countries, including Pakistan, raising concerns about employment discrimination and the treatment of dual-national aviation professionals.
The restrictions emerged after an alleged attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai (FZ) flight from Dubai (DXB) to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on September 30, 2026.
Israeli authorities subsequently introduced tighter nationality-based requirements for foreign airline crews, prompting Air France to notify affected employees and review crew assignments on services to Israel.
Israeli Crew Restrictions Explained in Detail
According to reports published by Al Jazeera and French investigative outlet Mediapart, Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety notified foreign airlines about the new requirements on October 1.
The directive reportedly prohibits crew members holding the nationality or dual nationality of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights entering Israeli airspace.
The reported list includes Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Niger, among other countries.
Consequently, Pakistani pilots and cabin crew members working for international airlines could face restrictions when assigned to flights serving Israel, depending on their nationality and the rules applied by their employers.
Air France said it must comply with the entry regulations established by the countries it serves, covering both passengers and employees. The airline also confirmed that affected staff had received information about the new requirements for flights to Tel Aviv.
Flydubai Incident Triggers Security Review Today
The policy followed an incident involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
According to UAE authorities, the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft, which was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain sustained serious injuries, while other pilots, crew members and passengers helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
The incident triggered heightened scrutiny of aviation security and prompted Israeli authorities to tighten checks on foreign airline personnel operating into the country.
However, the alleged actions of an individual crew member have also brought broader questions about how authorities assess aviation risks and whether nationality alone provides a fair basis for restricting qualified professionals.
Airlines Face Legal Questions Over Discrimination
The restrictions could affect crew scheduling at multiple international airlines operating services to Israel. Czech carrier Smartwings confirmed receiving the directive and said it would continue complying with applicable requirements, although it reported no immediate operational impact.
United Airlines declined to provide further information, leaving its response to the directive unclear. Air France, meanwhile, faces questions about how it can comply with Israeli requirements while meeting French employment and anti-discrimination laws.
An internal Air France memo reviewed by Mediapart reportedly warned that failure to follow the directive could expose both the airline and individual employees to potential sanctions.
The dispute highlights the challenge international airlines face when security requirements imposed by destination countries conflict with employee protections.
The policy’s practical impact will depend on how airlines implement the restrictions and whether further legal or regulatory clarification emerges.
For Pakistani aviation professionals and other affected crew members, the rules could limit access to certain flight assignments despite their qualifications and experience.
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