Israel has introduced major changes to its border data requirements that directly impact how air operators handle passenger and crew information. With new transmission protocols and mandatory pre-travel authorizations, carriers must act now to ensure full compliance and avoid operational disruptions.
Air carriers operating flights to Israel should be aware of two significant regulatory changes impacting compliance for both passenger (PAX) and crew (CREW) data submissions:
- Migration to a new data submission system
- Introduction of the ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirement
Here’s a breakdown of what these updates mean for your operations—and how you can easily implement the necessary changes.
Major system migration: New Israeli data submission protocol
Previously, iAPI, API PAX, and API CREW data were submitted directly to PIBA (Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority). However, following recent regulatory changes, Israel now requires all data to be submitted to NCPIA (National Center for Passenger Information Analysis) through SITA, the country’s new service provider. As a result:
- The API messages have to follow a new structure format, and be sent via the new channels.
- All carriers must submit data both in an interactive and batch way.
- The transition deadline for all air operators was 8 September 2025. As of that date, the old submission system is no longer available.
Need to switch fast to the new Israeli system?
To ensure uninterrupted operations, the fastest way to connect now is through a provider that’s already certified and integrated with the new system.
PnrGo is fully certified by SITA and supports seamless MQ-based communication, allowing air operators to automate both batch and interactive transmissions without any additional integration work.
PnrGo embarked on its adaptation journey already in March of this year. Through close collaboration with SITA, NCPIA and PIBA, we are proud to share that last week we successfully completed the seamless migration of more than 120 carriers, marking a significant milestone in our continued growth and innovation.
If you're already a PnrGo user and your plan includes Israel, we've got you covered—you’re already switched to the new system, so no action is needed on your side!
ETA-IL: Israel’s Electronic Travel Authorization System
As of 1st January 2025, all visa-exempt travelers to Israel must obtain an ETA-IL before departure—except for Israeli citizens and ID holders. This new requirement aligns with global trends in pre-departure traveller screening and has direct implications for your boarding procedures.
Before boarding, you must verify the travel authorization status of ALL passengers by:
- Submitting relevant passenger data via the SITA MQ / type B channel.
- Reviewing the status response issued by Israeli authorities.
- Take additional action (e.g. further investigation or submitting additional data) if required.
Below is a summary of the new and updated status codes:
| CODE VALUE | MEANING | NOTE |
| 0A | Cleared – Boarding pass granted | Replaces old code: 0Z |
| 0B | Immigration not cleared – ETA-IL missing (boarding pass denied, override possible if exempt) | New for ETA-IL |
| 0D | Immigration not cleared – Visa missing (boarding pass denied, override possible if exempt) | New for ETA-IL |
| 1Z | Not cleared for security reasons – Boarding pass denied | Legacy code, still active |
| 2Z | Advisory – Further investigation required | Legacy code, still active |
| 4X | Error – Invalid or missing data (e.g. invalid expiry date) | Replaces old code: 4Z |
Automate ETA checks with PnrGo
PnrGo can become your one-stop data compliance solution covering all flights to Israel (and many other countries, depending on your business needs). What’s more, you can easily integrate this solution into:
- Your Flight Management System (FMS)
- A custom inhouse solution
- Or use it as a stand-alone web platform
All the interactive responses from the authorities will be transferred back, allowing your team to easily comply with the new passenger vetting requirements introduced by Israel.
Choose PnrGo for reliable, compliant, and efficient data management solutions. Contact us today to schedule a demo.
