The new regulations are being implemented one month after the September 30 attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The National Passenger Screening Center (MALAN) at the Israel Tax Authority issued new reporting procedures that require carriers to provide Israeli authorities with updated crew information at several stages before a flight departs.
After submitting the initial information 48 hours in advance, airlines must report any changes to their crew rosters during the check-in period and no later than two hours before takeoff. Carriers must provide a final, complete list when the flight departs.
MALAN said the longer advance-notice period will provide Israeli security authorities with more time to prepare than is generally provided under international practices and strengthen their ability to address potential security concerns.
Additional restrictions apply to pilots and cabin crew who have citizenship or dual citizenship in countries that lack formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Internal communications from airlines, including United Airlines and Air France, indicate that personnel with connections to approximately 29 to 31 such countries face restrictions or additional screening. Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia are among the countries identified.
The changes follow multiple Shin Bet warnings about security vulnerabilities involving foreign-operated flights and foreign crew members who had not undergone vetting.
Israel introduced the measures exactly one month after the September 30 incident aboard a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Kan News reported after the attempted hijacking that a police investigation uncovered a separate issue involving two senior Transportation Ministry officials who held sensitive aviation security positions. Investigators found that both were working additional jobs while serving in those positions.
