Israel Evacuation Flights From Dubai Threatened by Security Dispute

Evacuation flights from Dubai to Israel, scheduled for Monday, are at risk of cancellation due to a security dispute between the UAE and Israel. An aviation industry source indicated that discussions are ongoing regarding the security of Israeli passengers at Dubai Airport and during boarding. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is reportedly demanding the installation of X-ray scanners for luggage inspection, but the UAE is encountering difficulties in implementing this. Israeli airlines stated they are prepared for the evacuation flights and have not yet received official notification of cancellation. There is concern that passengers might receive last-minute cancellations for flights planned to depart after midnight on October 5th. At least ten evacuation flights are scheduled for Monday to bring Israelis back from Dubai to Tel Aviv. This situation follows Fly Dubai's announcement on Friday to freeze flights on the Dubai-Tel Aviv route indefinitely. During the evacuation flights that operated from Friday, one plane carried passengers and another carried luggage. This was due to a UAE requirement not to leave luggage at the airport in Dubai, while Israel simultaneously increased its security demands. The Israeli cargo company Challenge Airlines has allocated a plane to transport passenger luggage from Dubai back to Israel.