Israel Bars Foreign Crew Holding Dual Citizenship of 31 Countries

Israel has started informing foreign airlines that pilots and flight attendants holding dual nationality with 31 designated countries are barred from working on flights to Tel Aviv. Paddley Too and PYOK both reported that the ban applies even to crew members who have minimal connection to the restricted nations or were raised in countries that maintain positive diplomatic relations with Israel. [1][8]

The operational restriction follows a foiled security incident on a flight bound for Ben Gurion Airport. On 30 September 2026, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating as Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport experienced an attempted terrorist attack, according to Israeli and United Arab Emirates officials. [1][8][10]