12.10.2026 13:20
The French airline Air France, upon Israel's instruction, imposed a duty ban on pilots and cabin crew holding citizenship of 31 countries on Tel Aviv flights. Behind the decision, which also covers personnel with dual citizenship, is an unverified claim that a pilot tried to crash the plane into the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.
French airline Air France has removed pilots and cabin crew who hold citizenship of 31 countries from Tel Aviv flights, following a decision by Israel on security grounds. It was claimed that the measure, which also covers employees with dual citizenship, was implemented after an alleged security attempt on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
FLIGHT BAN FOR CITIZENS OF 31 COUNTRIES
Israel's new regulation regarding aviation security affected the flight crews of French airline Air France. The company banned the assignment of staff holding citizenship of 31 countries, including Algeria, Tunisia, Iran and Pakistan, on Tel Aviv flights.
The decision was not limited to foreign-national employees. Pilots and cabin crew who, in addition to French citizenship, hold a passport from one of the countries on the list were also included in the scope of the measure.
WARNING TO PERSONNEL WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP
In internal company correspondence reportedly sent by Air France management to employees, it was stated that personnel with a second citizenship are required to report this information to management.
It was stated that employees who do not comply with the new regulation may face disciplinary sanctions. The measure also raised questions regarding discrimination legislation in France.
ISRAEL ISSUED DIRECTIVE ON OCTOBER 1
With the directive reportedly issued by Israel's Ministry of Transport on October 1, restrictions were imposed on flight crew holding citizenship of countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel from serving on flights to the country. It was reported that Air France's decision was also put into effect after the security regulation in question.
THE STRIKING CLAIM BEHIND THE BAN
The incident alleged to have occurred one day before the decision was made drew attention. According to the claim, on September 30, an Omani citizen co-pilot working on a flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight seized control of the aircraft and tried to crash it into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.
It was alleged that this claim, which has not yet been independently verified, was influential in Israel tightening security rules for flight crews.
NO STATEMENT FROM AIR FRANCE
Uncertainty continues over how the regulation affecting citizens of 31 countries and employees with dual citizenship will be implemented. No official statement has yet been made by Air France management regarding the restrictions in question and the possibility of sanctions against employees.