Israel News

AeroTime

High activity

Delta flight from New York isolated at Tel Aviv airport after bomb threat

Passengers were evacuated after an anonymous report claimed a bomb was in the aircraft’s cargo hold, prompting authorities at Ben Gurion Airport to isolate the Delta Air Lines flight. Israeli reports said the security inspection found no unusual objects and airport operations returned to normal.

ch-aviation

High activity

Israel’s new crew-citizenship rules turn back Ethiopian cargo 737

An Ethiopian Airlines 737 freighter bound for Tel Aviv returned to Addis Ababa after Israel identified an Indonesian-passport holder on the flight deck, violating newly tightened crew rules. The restrictions bar some dual-nationality pilots and flight attendants from operating flights to Israel and reportedly also apply to overflights.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Israel bars airline crew with dual nationality from 31 countries after thwarted terror attack

Israel has barred foreign pilots and flight attendants who also hold citizenship in any of 31 countries, citing a thwarted terror attack. The restriction affects international airline staffing and operations, though the available report provides no details on the countries covered, the attack or the ban’s duration.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

High activity

UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned 9/11-inspired attack on Tel Aviv flight

The UAE says Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, a Flydubai co-pilot, tried to seize a flight bound for Israel and intended to crash it into Ben Gurion Airport, causing mass casualties. Prosecutors said he had taken two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and airport; the pilot was stabbed during the cockpit attack.

ch-aviation

Red Wings says crew training meets Israel’s new requirements; Israir plans 737-8 wet lease

Red Wings says its crew-training system fully complies with Israel’s new requirements and that it will continue operating flights to the country at full capacity. Separately, Israir plans to wet lease Boeing 737-8 capacity in mid-fourth quarter 2026, according to a subscription-only report.

Axios

High activity

Passenger reportedly seized controls after flydubai co-pilot stabbed pilot, sending 737 MAX into 14,000-foot plunge

A flydubai 737 MAX bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv survived an apparent cockpit attack after the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and the aircraft entered an extreme descent. A passenger says he helped take control; the UAE has opened a formal judicial investigation, while the aircraft sustained major rudder damage.

FlightGlobal

Arkia wet leases A330-300 for New York as Israir launches competing Tel Aviv flights

Arkia is adding an Airbus A330-300 through a wet lease for New York operations, while Israir begins its own flights on the route. The moves intensify competition among Israel’s three main carriers for service between Tel Aviv and a major U.S. gateway.

defence-industry.eu

Rafael, Lockheed Martin integrate SPICE 1000 stand-off weapon on Israeli F-35I Adir

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun integrating the 1,000-pound SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition on Israel’s F-35I Adir. The electro-optically guided weapon has a range exceeding 120 kilometers and is designed to operate in jammed and GPS-denied environments, with potential implications for other F-35 operators.