Israel-UAE Evacuation Flights Delayed Amid Security Clearance Issues
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel and UAE agreed to allow evacuation flights for Israelis from Dubai.
- Initial flights were delayed due to security and permit issues.
- El Al plans to resume flights next week, with other airlines also preparing services.
- Regular flights between the countries remain suspended.
- Baggage restrictions are in place for evacuation flights.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached an agreement late Thursday night, October 1, to allow for evacuation flights from Dubai to bring Israelis home. The negotiations continued after Emirati authorities revoked a previously issued permit and tightened security requirements on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, Israel's Ministry of Transport announced that a fundamental permit had been obtained, but flight operations might be delayed until operational approvals are finalized.
El Al had planned to operate two Dubai-Tel Aviv flights on October 2, at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, but these were canceled. The airline now intends to begin passenger transport next week, with flights scheduled for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The one-way Lite fare is priced at $249, and seats on the announced flights are already sold out. The airline will send empty planes from Israel to Dubai, with the state partially covering these costs.
Arkia is preparing its first evacuation flight for Friday evening, scheduled to depart Dubai at 7:10 PM local time. Ticket prices start at $279. The company hopes to operate additional flights in the coming days, but their schedules depend on final permits and security measure approvals. Israir had announced plans for two evacuation flights on October 2, priced at $299 one-way, but did not open ticket sales pending final approval of permits and slots. Israir aims to resume regular Tel Aviv-Dubai service with 8-10 flights weekly.
Baggage restrictions are in place for evacuation flights, allowing only a small personal bag per passenger. Suitcases and carry-on luggage will be transported to Israel separately via cargo flights. Regular FlyDubai flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv remain suspended following an incident on September 30 involving flight FZ1073. Emirates continues to state on its website that ticket sales for flights to and from Tel Aviv under its codeshare agreement with FlyDubai are suspended. Emirates is not accepting passengers destined for Tel Aviv on its flights to Dubai for onward connections.
Israel's Ministry of Transport has requested Etihad to increase flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. A date for the full resumption of regular air travel between Israel and the UAE has not yet been set.
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