After the terror flight: the stringent directives for foreign airlines

The Ministry of Transport has issued a binding clarification for airlines flying to Israel or passing through its airspace, following a terror incident. The directives, which took effect on October 7, 2026, expand security requirements: companies will be required to conduct background checks on all crew members, verify citizenship, and prevent the assignment of individuals with restricted citizenship, including cabin crews. Non-compliance may lead to the cancellation of flight permits.

The Ministry of Transport, through the Emergency, Security, Information and Cyber Division and the Aviation Security Operations Center (ASOC), published on October 7, 2026, a clarification to the 2026 security directive, following a terror incident involving a flight. The directives, which took effect immediately, apply to all aircraft operators and airlines flying to Israel or passing through its airspace. The requirements include three main components: updated background and security checks for all crew members (pilots and flight attendants); verification of citizenship and prevention of assigning individuals with citizenship of countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, including dual citizenship; and immediate adjustment of crew assignments and work procedures. Unlike previous directives, the restriction on limited citizenship has been expanded from cockpit crews only to also include cabin crews. Additionally, the directives apply not only to flights landing at Ben Gurion Airport but also to flights passing through Israeli airspace. In the background, the state is examining a technological-regulatory solution that would require prior digital entry approval (an aviation visa) at least 24-48 hours before departure. Non-compliance with the requirements may lead to the cancellation of entry permits to the airspace.