Air France has barred Pakistani pilots and cabin crew members from operating flights to and from Israel as Israeli authorities tighten enforcement of restrictions on airline personnel from countries without diplomatic relations with the country. The move is part of a wider compliance effort involving international carriers, including US-based United Airlines and Czech airline Smartwings. The restrictions apply to crew members holding the nationality of certain countries, including Pakistan, and extend to both flight deck and cabin staff. The issue has drawn attention after an Ethiopian Airlines flight was ordered to return to Addis Ababa when Israeli authorities discovered that an Indonesian pilot was on board. The aircraft subsequently resumed its journey to Tel Aviv after the pilot was replaced.
