Arkia CEO Demands Return to Dubai Flights Amidst Security Concerns

An unprecedented incident involving a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which declared an emergency and then a hijacking code following an altercation between pilots, has highlighted Israel's reliance on Gulf carriers. The aircraft, carrying 180 passengers, was diverted to Saudi Arabia after Israeli Air Force jets were scrambled and a security consultation was held in Israel. Security officials believe the incident was nationalistic, with one pilot attempting to crash the plane. This event underscores the significant dependence on foreign airlines from the Gulf, as Israeli carriers like El Al, Arkia, and Israir are currently barred from flying to the UAE until at least the end of October due to security risks, as determined by the Shin Bet.

Consequently, foreign airlines like Flydubai and Etihad have become the primary operators on routes to the UAE. Flydubai and Etihad have carried approximately 423,000 and 333,000 passengers respectively from Israel since the start of the year, accounting for about 7% of traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. This represents a substantial increase from the previous year, with Flydubai alone seeing its passenger numbers more than double. Dubai is also a popular destination for Israelis during the Sukkot holiday, with Flydubai operating ten daily flights and Etihad six to Abu Dhabi.

Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz has appealed to Shin Bet head David Zini to resume Israeli flights to Dubai, warning that the company is losing an estimated $1 million per month. Berlowitz emphasized that the Dubai route is crucial for Arkia, with around 60 flights planned monthly during the winter season. He argued that the current situation, where the route is dominated by foreign airlines, is unsustainable and that Israeli carriers must regain a significant share of the operations for competition and national strategic reasons.

However, the recent hijacking scare may bolster the Shin Bet's security concerns regarding flights to the region. Aviation expert Dr. Uzi Freund-Feinstein noted that foreign airlines, particularly Flydubai, are the dominant players, offering competitive connecting flights. He also suggested that such incidents might deter Israelis from booking flights to the Gulf, and that the region's sparse infrastructure could complicate emergency responses.