An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 cargo flight was forced to return to Addis Ababa after takeoff because it carried an Indonesian pilot, reflecting Israel’s new diplomatic restrictions. The incident occurred on October 12 when the aircraft, operating as flight ET3414, departed Bole International Airport for Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. After approximately 30 minutes in the air, the jet turned around and circled near Addis Ababa to dump fuel before landing safely at 3:22 AM local time.
Israel Enforces New Crew Restrictions
The diversion was the direct result of a policy change by Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. Following a recent attempted hijacking by a flydubai pilot bound for Tel Aviv, Israel decided to bar any aircraft from flying to the country if it carries crew members from nations that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Indonesia is one of 23 countries and one partially recognized state that holds this position.
According to reports from The Times of Israel and Channel 13, the list of crew members aboard the Ethiopian Airlines jet was not provided to Israeli authorities until the plane was already en route. It remains unclear whether this was an administrative error or a procedural oversight. The flight had taken off at 1:40 AM local time, bound for Tel Aviv, but the lack of prior notification regarding the Indonesian pilot’s presence triggered the immediate return order.
Ethiopia itself maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, so the airline was permitted to operate the route. The restriction applied specifically to the nationality of the crew member. Once the issue was identified, Ethiopian Airlines arranged for a crew change. The same Boeing 737 took off again at 5:41 AM and landed in Tel Aviv at 9:15 AM, resulting in a total flight time of three hours and 34 minutes.
Impact on Airlines and Diplomatic Ties
The new rule has created immediate operational challenges for international carriers. Compliance with the ban could conflict with anti-discrimination laws in some countries. For example, The Middle East Eye reported that Air France agreed to enforce the restriction by removing crew members of certain nationalities from flights to Israel. This decision has reportedly put the French carrier at risk of legal challenges within its own jurisdiction.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Indonesia and Israel. While Israel recognized Indonesia’s independence in 1949, Indonesia has never reciprocated. Relations have further deteriorated since the 2023 Gaza War. A significant flashpoint occurred in the winter of 2023 when the Israel Defense Force besieged the Indonesia Hospital in Gaza, alleging it was used by Hamas. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi condemned the action during a visit to China.
Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the two nations have previously engaged in specific agreements, such as the Indonesian Air Force’s purchase of 30 Douglas A-4 Skyhawks in the early 1980s. However, current political climates suggest such cooperation is unlikely in the near future. Simple Flying has contacted both Ethiopian Airlines and Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety for further comment on the incident.
Source: Simple Flying
