Israel's Security Demands Halt Flights to UAE Over Baggage Screening

Israeli airlines have been forced to cancel all flights to the United Arab Emirates until the end of October due to heightened security requirements from the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency. Arkia Airlines informed its customers of the cancellations, impacting travel plans. Prior to the October 7th outbreak of war, flights between Israel and Dubai operated under a specific security protocol. However, the Shin Bet is now demanding that CT scanners be installed for screening luggage loaded onto Israeli aircraft.

While Dubai International Airport possesses an advanced HBS system that screens all baggage, Israel insists on an additional screening process for luggage destined for Israeli planes. This would involve baggage being scanned by equipment supplied by Israel before being transported to the aircraft. The UAE has reportedly refused this extra inspection, and high-level efforts are underway to alter Israel's demand.

Two weeks prior, airline companies had appealed to Shin Bet head David Zini, urging him to approve the resumption of flights to Dubai. They emphasized the economic importance of the route, particularly during the Sukkot holiday and winter months, highlighting the significant financial losses incurred by the flight suspension. The airlines requested that the Shin Bet resolve the crisis or permit flights to operate under the pre-October 8th security arrangements.