Omani pilots barred from Israel? Flydubai attack raises security alarm, puts spotlight on aviation rule

A Flydubai cockpit attack on a Tel Aviv–bound flight has triggered new questions about Israel’s aviation security and how flight crew information is handled before departure. Israeli authorities reportedly received the full crew manifest for Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai, after an Omani co-pilot—identified by multiple outlets as Hamam al-Hammami—allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar. Israel’s 2023 Passenger Data law requires airlines to share complete crew details with security agencies such as Shin Bet, Mossad and the Israel Police. Israel restricts entry of pilots from “unfriendly states,” including Oman and others, though it doesn’t explicitly describe a ban.