Flydubai Suspends Flights to Israel, Affecting Thousands of Travelers

Flydubai has temporarily suspended its flights between Dubai and Israel, a move that could impact thousands of Israeli travelers in the coming days. The decision follows an unusual incident on flight FZ1073 and a recommendation from Israeli security officials to delay the resumption of operations until investigations are complete. Flydubai is one of the busiest foreign airlines at Ben Gurion Airport, operating up to ten flights daily between Dubai and Tel Aviv. This suspension has broader implications than just canceled vacation flights to Dubai, as the city has become a major transit hub for Israelis traveling to Asia and other global destinations.

Under Israeli aviation law, passengers whose flights are canceled are generally entitled to assistance, a choice between a refund or an alternative flight, and potentially financial compensation. A canceled flight is defined as one that did not operate or was delayed by at least eight hours. Passengers can opt for a full refund of the ticket price, including taxes and fees, which should be provided within 21 days of a written request. Alternatively, they can choose a replacement flight to their final destination under similar conditions or at a later date.

Passengers are also entitled to free "assistance services," which include meals and drinks based on waiting times, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay or longer than planned is required, transportation between the airport and accommodation, and communication services. For tickets including connecting flights, Israeli law considers the entire journey as one flight. If a disruption occurs on one leg and the passenger does not reach their final destination, they may be entitled to a full refund for the entire ticket, even if part of the journey was completed. If a passenger chooses not to continue their journey after reaching a transit point due to a qualifying event, they are entitled to a free return flight to their origin.

Financial compensation amounts, updated as of 2026, range from 1,530 shekels for flights up to 2,000 km, to 2,450 shekels for flights between 2,000 and 4,500 km, and 3,670 shekels for flights over 4,500 km. However, Flydubai may be exempt from this compensation if it can prove the cancellation was due to "special circumstances" beyond its control. If the current suspension is deemed to be caused by special security circumstances, passengers might not receive this statutory compensation. The airline bears the burden of proving such circumstances.

Travelers whose flights are canceled are advised to verify the specific offer from the airline, whether a full refund or an alternative flight. Those already abroad and awaiting alternative flights should document all communications and relevant expenses. For connecting flights, passengers should confirm if the entire itinerary is on a single ticket and which airline operates each segment, as this affects their rights under the law.