Emirates Halts Flights to Israel Following Dubai Air Attack

Emirates, a major international airline based in the UAE, announced Thursday it will no longer allow passengers with final destinations in Tel Aviv to board its flights to Dubai. The airline also suspended its codeshare operations with Flydubai on routes to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. This move significantly impacts Israeli travelers who rely on Dubai as a transit hub for flights to the Far East, Australia, and Africa. Emirates stated it would assist passengers already en route to Tel Aviv to complete their journeys.

The decision follows an earlier announcement by Flydubai suspending all its flights to and from Israel. Flydubai had been one of the few foreign airlines maintaining regular service to Israel, even during difficult periods, leaving thousands of Israelis stranded in the UAE without a regular return option.

In response to the travel disruption, Israeli airlines are preparing to operate special return flights from the UAE starting Friday, pending final security approvals. Israel has also urgently requested the UAE government to increase flight capacity with Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, to facilitate the return of Israelis.

These drastic measures were prompted by a serious incident on Wednesday aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel. An Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Indian captain, who managed to open the cockpit door. Israeli passengers intervened and subdued the attacker. Israel has classified the event as a terror attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting it was an "Israeli 9/11" and that Iran's potential involvement is being investigated. The UAE Attorney General has launched a special investigation, asserting jurisdiction over the incident involving an Emirati airline.

Israeli security officials view the event as a severe security lapse and intelligence failure, highlighting significant gaps in screening and vetting procedures for flight crews on airlines operating to Israel. The head of the Shin Bet security agency had previously warned about inadequate security measures on flights arriving from the UAE, leading to recent tensions with Israeli airlines.