Israel has introduced restrictions barring pilots and cabin crew from countries without formal diplomatic ties with it from operating flights that enter its airspace, according to Israeli media reports, following an attempted hijacking aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight last month in which Indian captain Smit Machchhar was injured.
Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that the Transportation Ministry's Aviation Security Operations Centre had issued updated security directives after the September 30 incident.
Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that the ministry had notified foreign airlines about the restrictions on October 1.
The measures followed an attempted hijacking aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia after its Omani co-pilot attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft, reportedly intending to crash it into Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport.
Under the new directive, flight crew operating services into Israeli airspace must not hold the nationality, or dual nationality, of countries that do not maintain official diplomatic relations with Israel.
The restrictions apply to nationals of more than two dozen countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia, as well as people who hold dual nationality of these countries, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
The policy has led international airlines to review their crew rosters. Air France has adjusted crew assignments, while United Airlines has informed employees affected by the restrictions, according to French investigative website Mediapart and aviation blog Live and Let's Fly.
Mediapart reported that Air France had sent an internal memo to pilots and cabin crew outlining the restrictions and warning of possible sanctions for non-compliance.
Live and Let's Fly reported that United Airlines had asked affected pilots and flight attendants to contact its scheduling department to arrange the necessary changes. Haaretz also reported that the airline had altered crew assignments in response to the policy.
Following the attempted hijacking, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of security procedures for foreign civil aviation, Haaretz reported.
Machchhar, who sustained injuries during the September 30 incident, is recovering in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite being injured, the Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and fellow crew members to intervene and subdue the Omani co-pilot before the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar's actions drew praise from world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, who hailed him as a “hero”.