Ethiopian Airlines Flight Turned Away From Israel After Pilot Revealed to Be Indonesian
Israeli authorities turned back the cargo plane after a manifest check found an Indonesian crew member, highlighting gaps in predeparture screening.
- On Monday, an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight from Addis Ababa was denied entry into Israeli airspace after authorities discovered one of its pilots was an Indonesian national, from a country with no diplomatic ties to Israel.
- The aircraft was ordered to turn around while still in Ethiopia's airspace; upon returning to Addis Ababa, the Indonesian pilot was replaced by an authorized pilot, allowing the plane to land at Ben-Gurion Airport.
- Last week, the Knesset's Intelligence Subcommittee reported that over 1,200 aviation crew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel may have entered the country, revealing systemic screening failures by the Transportation Ministry.
- Despite the 2023 National Passenger Screening Center Law, the Transportation Ministry reported that the database only provides crew nationality information shortly before departure, preventing effective advance security checks before aircraft enter Israeli airspace.
- Following State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman's report identifying serious security gaps, the National Security Council is leading a comprehensive review to reformulate aviation security policy, involving the Finance Ministry, Israel Airports Authority, and Shin Bet.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Aircraft returns to Addis Ababa before resuming journey to Tel Aviv with replacement pilot, says Channel 12
Ethiopian cargo plane barred from Israel over Indonesian pilot, forced to turn back m
An Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight was forced to return to Addis Ababa, dumping fuel over the sea after Israel identified an Indonesian pilot on board; despite tighter security following the flydubai hijacking attempt, crew information again arrived only after takeoff
Israeli media sources revealed that Tel Aviv refused to allow Ethiopian Airlines cargo aircraft to land at Ben Gurion airport, because one of the crew members of the aircraft was Indonesian.
Israel reportedly refused landing permission to a plane that took off from Ethiopia because it had an Indonesian national on board with whom Israel has no diplomatic relations.
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