Israel bars crew members holding 29 nationalities from flights to Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli authorities have notified foreign airlines operating flights to Ben Gurion Airport of new restrictions on crew members holding dual nationality if one of their nationalities is among 29 countries on a list drawn up by Israel, according to aviation news website Paddle Your Own Kanoo (PYOK).  

The Hebrew-language Walla website reported that the measures follow the thwarting of an alleged attack aboard a Flydubai flight on 30 September. Co-pilot Hamam al-Hamahi is accused of attempting to incapacitate the captain and take control of the passenger aircraft, which was heading to Ben Gurion Airport, with the alleged aim of crashing it into the terminal building.

PYOK reported that several passengers and two pilots who were not assigned to the flight helped prevent the suspected attack.

The new restrictions expand existing Israeli measures targeting crew members from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to include dual nationals. Under the rules, a crew member could be barred from working on a flight to Israel if they hold a US passport alongside the nationality of one of the countries on the list.

According to Walla, the published list contains 29 countries, although the PYOK report says the restrictions cover 31 countries without identifying the remaining two.

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