Israelis Stranded Abroad Face Costly, Complex Journeys Home

Thousands of Israelis abroad, particularly in Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries, are facing significant difficulties and unexpected expenses in their attempts to return home. Despite the launch of rescue flights and some initial arrivals in Israel, travelers report ongoing flight cancellations, limited options, additional costs, and a lack of clear information.

One traveler, identified as G., described a convoluted journey from Thailand to Dubai with her family, involving multiple layovers and attempts to find alternative routes to Israel. After being directed through Bangkok and then Dubai, they were sent to Amman, where they incurred costs for lodging. A flight delay caused them to miss their next connection, and the hotel refused a refund. Attempts to get assistance from Emirates have been met with unhelpful staff and inaccessible customer service, with uncertainty about reimbursement for expenses.

Another traveler, N., who successfully reached Israel, reported that some luggage was left behind. She noted that some passengers only managed to board flights through agents or connections, and expressed frustration over the situation, which affects families with children, the sick, and the elderly. N. also stated that airline representatives told passengers that claims for canceled flights should be directed to the government, as the cancellations were due to its decisions. Passengers who paid around $600 for a "rescue" ticket also faced unexpected hotel costs in Dubai, with hotels allegedly raising prices.

Concerns are also being raised about the pricing of rescue flights. Chen reported that a advertised Arkia flight starting at $279 increased to $391 during the booking process, with a representative stating the price had been updated mid-purchase, which he described as cynical exploitation.

Israelis still in Thailand are also struggling to find return flights. Natalie and her family had their flight canceled and were initially offered a flight ten days later by Emirates, with priority given to those already in Dubai. Eventually, Emirates agreed to fly them to Larnaca on October 12, from where they must arrange their own transport to Israel. Sigal, also in Thailand, mentioned that some families opted to fly to Europe and then purchase tickets to Israel. Shani and her family were offered a route via Dubai and Rome, with the Rome to Israel leg requiring them to purchase their own tickets, costing over $3,000 for six people, with unclear responsibility for reimbursement.