Israeli Airlines Barred From UAE Flights Over Security Concerns

Israeli airlines, including El Al, Israir, and Arkia, are reportedly being denied permission by the Shin Bet security agency to land in the United Arab Emirates due to security risks. This prohibition, currently in effect until next month, is expected to be extended. Meanwhile, foreign carriers like Flydubai and Etihad continue to operate flights to the UAE.

Sources within the Israeli aviation industry expressed anger over the potential extension of the ban, which they claim harms competition and could lead to tens of millions of shekels in losses. A senior executive from an Israeli airline told N12 that Emirati authorities are "not concerned" about the cancellations of Israeli flights and are not rushing to sign agreements with Israeli security officials, as their airlines are currently profiting significantly.

Flydubai operates ten daily flights from Tel Aviv to Dubai, and Etihad operates six daily flights to Abu Dhabi. Israeli airlines, however, are not permitted to fly to these destinations at all. If the Shin Bet's position does not change, hundreds of tickets purchased by Israelis for flights to the UAE could be canceled.