New Israeli rule bars crew from some nations: Reports


The restrictions followed the hijacking incident on Sept 30

JERUSALEM: Israeli transportation ministry’s Aviation Security Operations Centre has reportedly issued new directives that say pilots and cabin crew operating flights into Israeli airspace must not hold the nationality, or dual nationality, of countries that lack official diplomatic relations with Israel.The move comes after a hijacking attempt last month on a flight travelling from the UAE to Israel. According to Israeli broadcaster N12, the ministry had informed foreign airlines about the restrictions on Oct 1.The restrictions cover nationals of more than two dozen countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia, as well as people holding dual nationality of these countries, the Haaretz newspaper reported. The restrictions followed the hijacking incident on Sept 30, when a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after its Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to seize control of the aircraft and crash the plane into Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport.The restrictions have prompted Air France to adjust crew assignments, while United Airlines has also notified employees of the policy, according to French investigative website Mediapart and aviation blog Live and Let’s Fly. Mediapart reported Air France had circulated an internal memo informing its pilots and cabin crew about the restrictions. pti

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