Israel Mandates 48-Hour Crew Reporting for Airlines After Flydubai Security Breach
Israel's Tax Authority has mandated that airlines report flight crew data 48 hours before departure following a near-disaster on a Flydubai flight. New security measures include mandatory online screening for foreign crews and expanded Shin Bet oversight.
Israel's National Passenger Targeting Center (NTC) at the Tax Authority has issued new directives requiring foreign airlines to report flight crew data 48 hours prior to departure for Israel. The updated regulations, introduced in the wake of the close-call security breach involving a Flydubai flight, align crew reporting requirements with those already mandated for standard passengers.
Under the new guidelines, airlines must submit initial crew manifests at least 48 hours before the scheduled takeoff. Carriers are then required to provide subsequent updates during the standard check-in window, no later than two hours before departure, and submit a final, verified crew list at the exact time of takeoff. The Tax Authority stated that the extended timeframe aims to enhance civil aviation security and provide security agencies with adequate preparation time.
The regulatory overhaul follows an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv by an Omani pilot, Mamoun Al-Hamami. Emirati authorities concluded their investigation, revealing that Al-Hamami had planned the attack prior to his employment and had considered targeting a previous flight before aborting the attempt. Investigators confirmed that the foreign co-pilots who successfully landed the aircraft had no prior knowledge of or involvement in the plot.
In response to the incident, Israel has instituted rigorous new vetting procedures. Non-Israeli citizens, including flight crews and foreign passengers, must complete an online digital form 48 hours before entry, which will be vetted by the Population and Immigration Authority. Furthermore, Mossad and Shin Bet have designated specific "red" countries, requiring additional security reviews. Shin Bet will now assume responsibility for issuing security directives to foreign airlines, expanding its oversight beyond domestic carriers.
Meanwhile, the investigation revealed friction between government bodies following revelations that an Israeli airline previously identified and grounded a pilot who expressed anti-Israel sentiments. While the Ministry of Transportation claimed the relevant database was merely in a pilot phase, Tax Authority officials strongly disputed the assertion, stating that the system is fully operational and integrated with all relevant security agencies.
