Thursday, October 15, 2026 -Indonesia has strongly criticised Israel after an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Tel Aviv was ordered to turn back because one of its pilots was an Indonesian national. The incident, reported on October 12 and 13, 2026, occurred while the aircraft was still in Ethiopian airspace, approximately an hour into its journey from Addis Ababa.
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yvonne Mewengkang, said Jakarta opposed restrictions based solely on nationality, describing the reported policy as inconsistent with the principle of non-discrimination in international aviation.
According to reports, Israeli security and aviation authorities flagged the pilot’s nationality and prevented the aircraft from continuing to Tel Aviv. The plane subsequently returned to Addis Ababa, where the Indonesian pilot was replaced before the flight resumed and landed in Israel.
Ethiopian Airlines reportedly described the incident as a mistake, explaining that the airline had been unaware of the restriction affecting its crew members. Indonesia has since been coordinating with its embassy in Addis Ababa to monitor the situation and ensure the pilot’s employment rights are protected.
The dispute has raised broader questions about national security, nationality-based restrictions and fairness in international air travel. Indonesia acknowledged that countries have the authority to establish aviation security requirements but insisted that such measures should be objective, proportionate and based on risk rather than political considerations.
Israel’s reported restrictions come amid heightened aviation security concerns following an alleged attempted hijacking involving a flight travelling to Tel Aviv in September. As Jakarta continues diplomatic engagement over the incident, the case could intensify discussions about how governments balance security requirements with international aviation principles.
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