Air France has barred Pakistani pilots and other crew members from operating flights to and from Israel, following the stricter enforcement of Israeli nationality rules for airline staff. United Airlines and Smartwings have also confirmed that they are complying with the restrictions.
The rules affect crew members who hold the nationality, or dual nationality, of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel. The measures apply to flights arriving in or departing from Israel and have created new requirements for airline crew planning.
The restrictions were enforced more firmly after an attempted terrorist attack involving an Omani co-pilot on a flydubai flight on 30 September, according to the supplied report. The development has raised questions about how the rules could affect international airlines operating services to Israel.
Airlines adjust crew planning
Air France confirmed that it is following the Israeli requirements. The airline said entry rules set by authorities in countries where it operates apply to both passengers and employees.
United Airlines has informed pilots and cabin crew about the nationality requirements for Israel-related flights. The airline has also incorporated the restrictions into its crew-planning process and asked employees from affected countries to change their assignments.
A United internal scheduling memo reviewed by ch-aviation listed 29 countries whose nationals could be prevented from working on flights to and from Tel Aviv. The countries named were Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Venezuela and Yemen.
The memo cautioned that the list might not be complete. The restrictions may also apply to crew members who hold citizenship from a listed country even when they possess citizenship from another country.
Smartwings, the Czech Republic's largest airline, has also confirmed that it will follow the Israeli restrictions. However, the carrier said its crew assignments and operations had not been affected so far.
Ethiopian Airlines flight turned back
An Ethiopian Airlines flight became the first reported service affected by the newly enforced restrictions on Tuesday. The Jerusalem ed that the aircraft had already travelled beyond Ethiopian airspace when Israeli authorities identified an Indonesian pilot on board and ordered the flight to return.
The aircraft went back to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, where the pilot was replaced. It then departed again and landed in Tel Aviv. Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country without diplomatic relations with Israel, and its citizens fall within the restrictions covering crew on Israel-bound flights.
Ethiopian Airlines described the incident as a mistake. The airline said it had not known that the pilot was prohibited from operating a flight to Israel.
The episode illustrates the operational consequences of the rules for airlines. Crew assignments must now account not only for the airline's staffing needs, but also for the nationalities held by pilots and cabin crew scheduled to serve Israel routes.
Why the policy matters for airlines
The measures place responsibility on carriers to identify affected employees before departure. A crew member may be affected even if that person also holds another nationality, according to the United memo described in the report.
Air France's confirmation indicates that the requirements are being applied by at least one major European carrier. United Airlines' planning changes and Smartwings' stated compliance show that the policy is also being considered in the operating procedures of airlines from the United States and the Czech Republic.
The available information does not establish whether every airline serving Israel has adopted the same process. It does show that carriers are responding through staff notifications, assignment changes and internal scheduling checks.
Conclusion
Air France has stopped Pakistani crew from operating Israel flights, while United Airlines and Smartwings have confirmed compliance with Israeli nationality restrictions. The rules have already caused an Ethiopian Airlines flight to return to Addis Ababa for a pilot change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which Air France crew members are affected?
Pakistani pilots and crew members have been stopped from operating flights to and from Israel under the reported rules.
Q. Which other airlines confirmed compliance?
United Airlines and Smartwings confirmed that they are following the Israeli restrictions.
Q. What do the restrictions concern?
They concern crew members who hold the nationality, or dual nationality, of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel.
Q. How many countries appeared in the United memo?
The internal scheduling memo listed 29 countries whose nationals could be prevented from working on flights to and from Tel Aviv.
Q. What happened to the Ethiopian Airlines flight?
Israeli authorities identified an Indonesian pilot on board and ordered the aircraft to return to Addis Ababa. The pilot was replaced before the flight continued to Tel Aviv.
Q. Why was the Ethiopian flight turned back?
Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and Indonesian citizens are covered by the restrictions described in the report.
Q. Has Smartwings reported operational disruption?
Smartwings said its crew assignments and operations had not been affected so far.
Q. Can dual nationals also be affected?
Yes. The United memo indicated that the restrictions may apply to crew members holding citizenship from a listed country even if they also hold another nationality.
