Israel bars pilots and cabin crew from 30+ countries after attempted Flydubai hijack

Israel announced a ban on pilots and cabin crew who are citizens or dual nationals of more than 30 countries without diplomatic relations, specifically including Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia, following a September 30, 2026 incident in which an Omani co‑pilot allegedly attacked an Indian captain and tried to hijack a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Air France has barred Pakistani pilots and cabin crew from flights to and from Israel and issued an internal memo warning of possible sanctions for non‑compliance, while United Airlines has notified its employees of the policy and asked affected staff to contact its scheduling department for adjustments; Ethiopian Airlines was also ordered to return a flight after an Indonesian pilot was found on board.