Air France is implementing Israeli restrictions that prevent certain pilots and cabin crew from flying to Israel or entering its airspace. The rules target employees holding the nationality, including dual nationality, of countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Pakistan is among the 31 nationalities reportedly affected by the directive.
The restrictions also apply to French citizens who hold a second nationality covered by the order. Consequently, some Air France employees may no longer operate flights to Israel under the new requirements. The policy has also raised concerns about nationality-based discrimination and its compatibility with French employment law.
What Does the Israeli Crew Restriction Order Require?
Israel’s Ministry of Transport reportedly issued the directive on October 1, 2026. The order requires airlines to ensure that pilots and flight attendants entering Israeli airspace do not hold the nationality of a country without formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Air France has communicated these requirements to its employees through an internal note. The document, obtained during an investigation, informed pilots and cabin crew that they could no longer operate flights to Israel under the restrictions.
Furthermore, the airline instructed employees to disclose any additional nationality they hold. According to the investigation, employees who fail to comply could face disciplinary action.
The directive reportedly covers 31 nationalities, including Pakistani, Algerian, Tunisian and Iranian citizens. Therefore, its impact extends beyond Pakistan and affects crew members from several countries without formal diplomatic ties to Israel.
Why Are Pakistani Pilots Included in the Ban?
Pakistan does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel, placing Pakistani nationals among those affected by the reported restrictions. The list also includes citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Iran, Oman and Tunisia.
However, the nationality-based restrictions do not apply equally to every Muslim-majority country. Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, for example, have normalised relations with Israel and are reportedly excluded from the same nationality filter.
The policy could therefore affect airline employees differently depending on their citizenship, even when they work for the same international carrier. French citizens with Pakistani or another listed nationality may also face restrictions when operating flights to Israel.
Alleged Flydubai Incident Preceded the Directive
The Israeli directive reportedly followed an alleged incident involving an Omani flydubai co-pilot on September 30, 2026. The incident concerned a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight, with allegations that the co-pilot attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
According to the reported account, he intended to crash the plane into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The co-pilot reportedly told investigators in the United Arab Emirates that he had acted alone.
However, the allegations have not undergone independent verification through the Israeli or UAE accounts. Therefore, the incident’s details should be treated cautiously rather than as independently established facts.
Israeli Airline Sector Also Reviews Crew Backgrounds
Separately, an unnamed Israeli airline reportedly began conducting background checks on approximately 2,500 pilots and cabin crew working in the country’s aviation sector.
The reported checks indicate that scrutiny of aviation personnel has extended beyond Air France’s operations. However, the available information does not identify the airline involved or establish the full scope of its screening process.
Air France Faces Questions Over Legal Implications
Air France had not provided a response to requests for comment by the time of publication, according to the original reporting. However, French media reports said the airline had explained that it must follow destination countries’ admission requirements for passengers and employees.
Nevertheless, implementing nationality-based restrictions could expose the airline to legal challenges under French labour and anti-discrimination laws. The policy has also drawn criticism from some French politicians following the disclosure of the internal note.
Air France has not issued a detailed public statement addressing the specific findings of the investigation. Its reported position remains that the airline must comply with the entry requirements imposed by countries where it operates.
As a result, the restrictions place Pakistani pilots and other affected crew members in a difficult position. The policy’s implementation could also intensify questions about whether foreign entry requirements can justify nationality-based restrictions in airline employment.
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