Israel has issued sweeping new aviation security directives, requiring all foreign and domestic airlines to submit crew information 48 hours before departure — a direct response to the foiled terror attack aboard a flydubai flight last month. The move, reported on 30 October, marks the most significant tightening of Israeli aviation protocols in recent years.

What the New Directives Require

Under the revised framework, airlines must provide crew details at least 48 hours before a scheduled departure. Any subsequent changes must be communicated no later than two hours before takeoff, with a final confirmed crew list submitted at the point of departure. The directives come from Israel's National Centre for Passenger Data Analysis, operating under the country's Tax Authority, and apply to all incoming and outgoing flights operated by both Israeli and foreign carriers.

According to reports, the measures were ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a formal security review, and are designed to allow adequate time for comprehensive background checks on crew members before they board an aircraft bound for or departing Israel.

Online Entry Forms for All Non-Israeli Nationals

Citing Israeli media outlet Channel 13 News, reports indicate that all non-Israeli nationals — including pilots, cabin crew, and passengers — travelling to or from Israel will now be required to complete an online form 48 hours before entering the country. The submitted data will be reviewed by the Population Authority.

Israeli intelligence agencies, including Mossad and Shin Bet, have reportedly classified certain countries as 'red' and will subject entry forms and visa applications from travellers in those nations to heightened scrutiny. Shin Bet, previously responsible only for Israeli airline security and the security framework covering all flights departing Israel, will now also oversee security procedures for foreign airlines arriving in Israel and their overseas departure points — a significant expansion of its mandate.

Background: The Foiled Flydubai Attack

The new rules come exactly one month after a terror attack aboard a flydubai aircraft on 30 September, on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying Israeli passengers. According to UAE prosecutors, who have confirmed the incident as a 'terrorist attack', co-pilot Hamam Al Hamami attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe during the flight. The seriously injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to intervene and overpower Al Hamami, averting what could have been a catastrophic crash.

Notably, the incident has drawn widespread international recognition for Captain Machchhar, whose actions have been praised by leaders in India, the UAE, Israel, and the United States.

UAE Honours the Flydubai Crew

Earlier this week, the UAE formally recognised the bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew for their conduct during the emergency. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on those involved — one of the UAE's most prestigious honours — in recognition of their courage and efforts to protect passengers and ensure the safety of the aircraft.

What Comes Next

The expanded role of Shin Bet, combined with mandatory pre-departure background checks and the new online entry regime, represents a structural overhaul of Israel's civil aviation security posture. How foreign airlines adapt to the 48-hour crew submission requirement — particularly carriers with high-frequency or short-turnaround operations into Israeli airports — will be closely watched by the global aviation industry in the weeks ahead.