The United States government has quietly barred two Saudi Arabian Airlines pilots from flying in the US on the grounds that they "pose a security threat," The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
According to the report, the case was the first test of a controversial new rule that allows US authorities to take away flying licenses without disclosing any evidence.
The cases against Maan Hassan Zarie and Tarek Hassan Jifry stem from the Transportation Security Administration's new responsibility to conduct threat assessments of all pilots, mechanics and flight instructors authorized to work or fly in the United States, the paper said.
The Saudi men, on their part, are appealing the ruling. (Albawaba.com)
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