El Al, Arkia, Israir Launch Evacuation Flights From Dubai Amid Security Incident
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli airlines launching evacuation flights from Dubai starting October 2.
- Flights organized after a security incident on a Flydubai flight.
- Passengers face strict baggage limits, with checked bags sent separately.
- Hundreds of Israelis were stranded in Dubai due to flight suspensions.
- Israel's transport ministry requested Etihad to increase flights from Abu Dhabi.
El Al is set to commence evacuation flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Friday, October 2, following security clearance. Tickets for the first two flights, priced at $249 for the Lite fare, sold out within minutes of release on Thursday evening. The initial flights will depart Dubai at 11:00 and 13:00, with the aircraft returning empty from Tel Aviv. Passengers will only be permitted to carry one bag into the cabin, while checked luggage will be transported separately on cargo flights.
Arkia has also opened ticket sales for special flights from Dubai, with prices starting at $279. Their first flight is scheduled for Friday at 19:10 local time, with services continuing until Tuesday, October 6, and operating on Saturdays unlike El Al. Arkia cautioned that schedules might change based on security and government directives, and similar baggage restrictions will apply.
Israir aims to operate two repatriation flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Friday, October 1, pending necessary approvals. Initially, the airline will only sell tickets for flights to Israel, costing $299 one-way. Israir is also preparing to resume regular service between Tel Aviv and Dubai, with eight to ten weekly flights, once authorized.
These special flights are being organized in the wake of an incident on September 30, 2026, aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel. According to Israeli authorities, the co-pilot, an Omani national, attacked the Indian captain, causing a knife-related injury in an apparent attempt to hijack the aircraft. Crew members and Israeli passengers intervened, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The flight, carrying approximately 180 passengers and crew, was later rerouted to Israel by Flydubai. Following the incident, Flydubai suspended its flights to and from Israel for six days, leaving hundreds of Israelis stranded in the UAE. Emirates, Flydubai's sister airline, has also halted joint operations with Flydubai on routes to Israel. Passengers with Tel Aviv as their final destination are currently not permitted to fly Emirates to Dubai to connect to flights to Israel.
With limited return options, Israel's Ministry of Transport has requested Etihad Airways to increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to Ben Gurion Airport.
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