Israeli Flights from Dubai to Israel Approved After Delays and Shifting Conditions
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli rescue flights from Dubai were approved but delayed.
- UAE initially canceled landing permits for the flights.
- Emirates barred passengers bound for Israel from boarding.
- Conditions were tightened, including luggage bans.
- UAE revoked landing permits hours before departure.
Israel's Ministry of Transportation announced late Thursday night that rescue flights operated by Israeli airlines from Dubai to Israel would commence, though their departure would be delayed to finalize preparations. The ministry stated it is working with all relevant parties, both within and outside Israel, to facilitate the flights as soon as possible. Citizens in Dubai are advised to contact their airlines for instructions and updates.
Earlier on Thursday, the UAE had initially canceled landing permits for these flights, creating uncertainty as negotiations continued overnight. The situation escalated when Emirates, the parent company of Flydubai, announced at approximately 1:30 PM that passengers with final destinations in Israel would not be allowed to board its flights to Dubai from other global locations. This meant Israelis traveling via Dubai to Tel Aviv would be stranded.
Following the outcry caused by this decision, the Ministry of Transportation reached an agreement with Emirates. The UAE airline would resume its Dubai-Israel flights once Israeli airlines restarted direct services between the two countries. The rescue flights were initially set to begin Friday morning after a discussion involving Transportation Minister Miri Regev, security officials, and Emirati representatives.
El Al prepared a special rescue flight schedule to bring Israelis back from Dubai, with tickets priced at a uniform $249 for the basic 'Lite' fare. The first flight, LY974, was scheduled to depart Dubai at 11:00 AM, followed by LY972 at 1:00 PM. El Al noted that security and other authorities might require changes to operations and that planes flying from Tel Aviv would be empty.
However, the UAE tightened conditions again around 6:30 PM, announcing that passengers would not be permitted to bring luggage on the return flights. Just hours before their scheduled departure late Thursday evening, the UAE revoked the landing permits for the rescue flights.
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