Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight to Tel Aviv returned after crew member’s Indonesian
Written by AI from 5 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
The Addis Ababa‑Tel Aviv cargo service was turned back about an hour after takeoff and later departed again after the Indonesian pilot was replaced, according to multiple reports.
Initial departure
The cargo flight, identified as ET3414, was scheduled to leave Addis Ababa at 1:40 local time and flew roughly 50 km north, reaching an altitude of about 6,500 metres before returning to its departure airport about an hour after takeoff.
Crew nationality issue
Israeli security restrictions were applied because a crew member held Indonesian citizenship, a nationality not permitted to fly to Israel due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Israeli authorities received the crew list only after the aircraft had departed.
Second takeoff
The Indonesian pilot was replaced by another authorized pilot before the aircraft took off again at 5:41 local time.
The flight subsequently arrived at Tel Aviv at 9:15 local time.
Broader context
Reports note that more than 1,200 aviation crew members from countries without diplomatic relations may have entered Israel.