Israel to Charter Flights for Citizens Stranded in UAE After Attack

Israel's Ministry of Transportation, in coordination with the Shin Bet and Mossad intelligence agencies, has devised a plan to operate up to 30 chartered flights to repatriate Israeli citizens from the United Arab Emirates. This initiative aims to bring back Israelis stranded in Dubai following a serious attempted attack on a Flydubai flight. The chartered flights will be operated by Israeli companies, but will utilize foreign aircrews. These flights are expected to depart in the coming days, while an investigation into the stabbing incident on the Flydubai flight is ongoing.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev had requested a freeze on Flydubai flights until the investigation, which could last about three days, is completed. However, Flydubai flights have not yet been suspended. The Ministry of Transportation is also working to find a solution that would allow continued flights under a security arrangement managed by the Shin Bet and Mossad. The Shin Bet has granted temporary approval for the 30 chartered flights to prevent Israelis from being stranded in the UAE.

Despite some reports, Israeli airlines have not yet received approval to operate regular flights to Dubai. A key sticking point remains the Shin Bet's demand for a scanning device to be installed in the UAE, which has not yet been resolved. Regev had pushed for immediate operation of the Dubai route by El Al, Israir, and Arkia, with Israeli security checks. However, the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, reportedly opposed the resumption of Israeli flights on this route during an internal security discussion, citing insufficient security screening in the UAE. Currently, Flydubai is the only airline operating flights from the Emirates to Israel, in accordance with security directives.