Emirates Halts Flights to Tel Aviv Amid Security Concerns After Hijacking Attempt

Emirates announced on Thursday, October 1, that it will no longer permit passengers whose final destination is Ben Gurion Airport to board its flights to Dubai. This decision stems from the aftermath of an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai aircraft. Consequently, Emirates and Flydubai have suspended their code-sharing agreement on routes to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. The airline stated it is attempting to prevent Israelis without onward travel to Tel Aviv from arriving in Dubai. Customers already en route to Tel Aviv with a layover in Dubai will be assisted to complete their journeys if possible, and those with existing bookings will receive full refunds. Emirates later clarified that transit passengers to Tel Aviv would be allowed to board in Dubai pending approval of evacuation flights.

Earlier, on the evening of September 30, Israel's Ministry of Transport announced a six-day suspension of Flydubai flights to Ben Gurion Airport, effective immediately. This suspension followed the hijacking attempt. In response to hundreds of Israelis, including families, being stranded in Dubai, Israeli airlines Arkia, El Al, and Israir are preparing to operate special evacuation flights starting October 2, pending final security approvals. Arkia plans to run flights until October 6, with tickets priced from $279. El Al and Israir will also offer flights, with El Al tickets starting at $249 and Israir's one-way tickets from Dubai to Israel at $299. These airlines are also preparing to resume regular Tel Aviv-Dubai service, with Israir aiming for eight to ten weekly flights, subject to approvals. The Israeli airlines have confirmed their readiness to operate these flights.