Israel's Shin Bet May Extend Ban on Flights to UAE Amid Security Concerns

Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia are facing a continued ban on flights to the United Arab Emirates due to alleged "security risks," with the restriction expected to be extended through November. The Israeli security agency Shin Bet is reportedly withholding necessary security approvals for Israeli carriers to land in the UAE. This comes while Emirati airlines, Fly Dubai and Etihad Airways, continue to operate their regular flights between the two countries.

The current ban is set to expire in October but is likely to be prolonged. Israeli airlines have expressed anger over the situation, arguing it harms competition and unfairly benefits Emirati carriers. A senior official from an Israeli airline noted that the UAE is unaffected by the flight cancellations and is not rushing to sign agreements with Israeli security authorities, while their own companies are profiting significantly.

Israeli airlines warn that the ongoing restrictions could result in tens of millions of shekels in losses. The disparity is evident, with Fly Dubai operating ten daily flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, and Etihad Airways running six daily flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, while Israeli airlines remain grounded.

If the Shin Bet's stance does not change, hundreds of tickets already purchased by passengers on Israeli airline flights may be canceled. The report did not specify the nature of the security risks cited by the Shin Bet or the conditions required for Israeli airlines to resume flights, which have been suspended since the start of the war in Gaza.