Hundreds of Israelis Stranded in Dubai After Flydubai Flights Halted

Hundreds of Israeli citizens are stranded in Dubai without a direct way to return to Israel following the suspension of Flydubai flights to Ben Gurion Airport. The airline, which operated approximately ten flights daily to Israel, has halted its services for six days due to a hijacking attempt on a flight to Tel Aviv the previous day. This disruption is particularly affecting Israelis returning from the Far East who use Dubai as a transit point.

Many travelers discovered their connecting flights were canceled only upon arrival in Dubai. Security officials from the Shin Bet are expected to arrive in Dubai to make security preparations for Israeli airlines to resume flights from the emirate, with the first flights anticipated as early as Saturday. Israeli airlines have stated they are ready to commence flights from Dubai as soon as they receive the necessary approvals.

Etihad Airways plans to increase its daily flights to Israel, and Emirates is considering resuming its service. El Al's operations on Friday will be limited due to Shabbat, with full service resuming after sunset. The relatively short flight time between Dubai and Israel allows for quick turnaround flights.

Among those stranded is Yael Tzuraf, who flew from Vietnam with her son. They were offered alternative flights to Amman, Larnaca, or Athens, but would need to arrange their own onward travel to Israel. Due to the Sukkot holiday, flights are fully booked, making alternative arrangements difficult. Yael and her son are currently staying in a hotel near the airport, receiving meals while awaiting a solution.

Another traveler, Alicia, who landed in Dubai from Sri Lanka, opted to fly to Athens, also facing challenges in securing onward flights to Israel due to holiday travel. Questions remain about who will cover the expenses for rebooking flights and associated costs.