Israel bars foreign airlines from crew with citizenship of non‑diplomatic countries

Israel’s Ministry of Transport issued new security restrictions on October 7 that prohibit foreign airlines from using pilots and flight attendants who hold citizenship from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel.

The rules apply to all foreign airlines operating scheduled passenger flights, charter services, and aircraft merely passing through Israeli airspace without landing, and require updated security and background checks on every crew member to verify no dual or single citizenship from a non‑diplomatic country; non‑compliant airlines face immediate suspension or revocation of authorization to enter Israeli airspace.