Israel Bans Aircrew With Dual Nationality From 31 Countries After Foiled Terror Attack on Flydubai Flight
Why It MattersForeign carriers serving Tel Aviv face new crew-staffing restrictions that could complicate scheduling and compliance across international operations to Israel.
Israel has moved to ban foreign airline crew members who hold dual nationality with any of 31 countries that lack diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights into the country, following a foiled terror attack aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on September 30. The suspect, identified as Al Hammami, is an Omani national; Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. He had operated two previous flights to Tel Aviv without incident, even though Israeli authorities should have received his passport details in advance of each flight. Israel had long maintained a policy barring aircrew from countries without diplomatic ties, but it had not been consistently enforced.
Israel is now actively enforcing the ban and has extended it: foreign airlines flying to Tel Aviv have been told that any crew member holding dual nationality with one of the 31 banned countries will not be permitted to work those flights, even if that individual also holds a valid passport from a country with diplomatic relations with Israel. United Airlines has issued an internal memo to pilots and flight attendants informing them of the new requirement, and the restriction applies to all foreign carriers serving Tel Aviv, not only United.
Prosecutors allege that Al Hammami deliberately pursued a career in aviation intending to carry out a September 11-style attack, and that he chose Flydubai because it regularly flew to Tel Aviv, using two prior flights to Israel to plan the attack. He is believed to have been radicalized while living in Melbourne, Australia, where he came into contact with individuals linked to a group funded by the Muslim Brotherhood. He has claimed the attack was his own work and that he acted alone. Prior to joining Flydubai, Al Hammami worked for Oman Air, which became aware of his extremist views and grounded him, moving him to a desk role; he subsequently worked for Royal Air Maroc before being hired by Flydubai. The foiled attack was disrupted by quick-thinking passengers and two off-duty pilots aboard the aircraft.
