United Airlines has again taken Captain Ibrahim Mossallam off flying duties. The move revives a row that began almost three years ago.
The airline confirmed the decision on Tuesday. It said it had “withheld this pilot from service pending an ongoing review.” United gave no reason. It also did not say how long the review will last.
The first case dates to November 2023. United removed Mossallam after public anger over his social media posts. He had described the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel as “resistance by a brave people.” The airline later cleared him. He went back to the cockpit.
Now, new reports have added more allegations. They say two United pilots were deadheading on a flight Mossallam operated. They felt uneasy about him. So they gave up their first-class seats and spent the whole flight in the cockpit.
Other reports say United once tried to fire him. The pilots’ union allegedly blocked the move. United has not confirmed any of this. The claims remain unverified.
One question stands out. United checked Mossallam before and found him fit to fly. So what has changed? The airline has not said.
Passengers trust flight crews with their lives every day. When that trust is shaken, silence does not help. Clear answers do. The public deserves to know how the review ends.
