Key Takeaways
- Air France is enforcing an Israeli order that bans pilots and cabin crew with certain nationalities from flying into Israel.
- The ban covers 31 nationalities, including Pakistan, and affects both foreign and French dual nationals.
- The directive aims to ensure that pilots and flight attendants do not hold the nationality of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel.
Air France has begun enforcing an Israeli order that effectively bans Muslim crew members with dual nationalities from flying into Israel. The directive, issued by Israel’s Ministry of Transport on October 1, 2026, targets 31 nationalities, including Pakistan, and affects both foreign and French dual nationals.
According to a report by Mediapart, Air France has warned its affected employees that they can no longer operate flights to Israel under these new rules. The airline has also instructed staff to declare any second nationality, with failure to do so potentially leading to disciplinary action.
The ban follows an alleged attempt by an Omani flydubai co-pilot to seize control of a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight on September 30, 2026, and crash it into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The co-pilot, who previously worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, joined flydubai in January 2026.
Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that the directive requires airlines to ensure that pilots and flight attendants entering Israeli airspace do not hold the nationality or dual nationality of a country without formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Air France has been conducting background checks on approximately 2,500 pilots and cabin crew, as reported by Channel 13. The airline has not publicly commented on the findings of the investigation.
The ban has affected several countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Oman, and Tunisia, among others. Countries that have normalized relations with Israel, such as Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, are not covered by the directive.
Middle East Eye contacted Air France but received no reply by the time of publication. The enforcement of the ban could expose Air France to a legal challenge in France, as the airline has not publicly commented on the directive.
The order is part of a broader effort by Israel to enhance security measures, particularly in light of the alleged hijack attempt. While the accounts of the co-pilot’s actions have not been independently verified, the ban has significant implications for the aviation industry and the affected pilots and crew.
