Air France enforces Israeli ban affecting pilots from Muslim countries

Air France has complied with an Israeli order restricting pilots and cabin crew from Muslim-majority countries from flying to Israel. This includes nationals from Algeria, Tunisia, Iran and Pakistan, as well as French citizens holding those nationalities. The ban targets nationality rather than religion, but effectively excludes Muslim pilots from those countries.

Air France notified affected staff they could no longer operate flights to Israel and warned them to declare a second nationality, with non-compliance potentially resulting in disciplinary action. The airline's adherence to the restriction could lead to a legal challenge in France. Israel's Ministry of Transport issued the directive on October 1, 2026, requiring airlines to ensure pilots and flight attendants entering Israeli airspace do not hold the nationality of a country without diplomatic relations with Israel.

The order came after an alleged incident involving an Omani flydubai co-pilot attempting to seize control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30 and crash it into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The pilot's actions have not been independently verified.