Israel-UAE Flights Resume After Security Clearance
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli airlines cleared for UAE flights after security talks.
- Arkia, El Al, and Israir to operate rescue flights starting today.
- Security coordination delays are possible despite approvals.
- Passengers limited to carry-on bags on rescue flights.
- Previous incident led to flight suspensions by Flydubai and Emirates.
Following intensive negotiations involving Israeli security agencies, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Transportation, and Israel's Ambassador to the UAE, Yossi Shai, approvals have been granted for Israeli airlines to resume flights to and from the Emirates. The Ministry of Transportation announced that agreements were reached to allow Israeli companies to bring back stranded passengers. However, security coordination is still ongoing, which may cause delays.
Arkia plans to operate a rescue flight as early as this evening, with five additional rescue flights scheduled for Saturday by Arkia and Israir. El Al, which canceled its planned flights for Thursday after overnight discussions, is expected to operate one rescue flight on Saturday evening. El Al's initial two rescue flights for Thursday were canceled due to the ongoing security arrangements.
Arkia stated it has received the necessary approvals and is preparing to send an empty aircraft to Dubai this evening to return with passengers. The company, which also operates on Saturdays, will run one flight today and another tomorrow, with three additional flights planned over the weekend at the request of Transportation Minister Miri Regev. Israir intends to operate two rescue flights on Friday, subject to final approvals, with tickets initially available only from Dubai to Israel.
All available tickets for El Al's rescue flights, priced at $249 for a light fare, sold out within minutes. Arkia's tickets are priced starting at $279. Israir is waiting for final slot confirmations before opening sales. Passengers on these rescue flights will be limited to carrying only a carry-on bag, with checked luggage to be transported separately on cargo flights.
The need for these rescue flights arose after Flydubai suspended its services to and from Israel following an incident on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Israel. During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain and attempted to hijack the plane, but was subdued by crew and Israeli passengers. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Emirates also suspended its codeshare agreement with Flydubai on routes to and from Israel and prohibited passengers with final destinations in Tel Aviv from boarding its flights to Dubai.
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