Israel-UAE Flights Halted Over Security Demands and Airline Reciprocity
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Israel canceled a delegation visit to the UAE to discuss resuming flights due to unresolved security demands, including Israeli guards and screening stations in Dubai. The impasse also affects Flydubai's return to Israel, with "security gaps" cited by Israeli officials. Both sides appear to be using flight resumptions as leverage in negotiations, potentially leading to higher airfares for consumers. The situation involves multiple Israeli security and government agencies.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel postponed a delegation to the UAE over unmet security demands for flight resumptions.
- Israel requires UAE deployment of Israeli security guards and baggage screening stations.
- Flydubai's return to Israel remains suspended due to Israeli security concerns.
- A reciprocal arrangement is suspected, linking Israeli airlines' return to Flydubai's.
- The ongoing flight dispute is expected to increase airfare prices.
- Multiple Israeli agencies are involved in the complex security and aviation negotiations.
Israel has postponed a delegation visit to the United Arab Emirates, originally planned to address the resumption of Israeli flights to Dubai and the return of UAE's Flydubai to Israel. The delegation, which was to include Transportation Minister Miri Regev and security officials, was called off due to ongoing security disputes.
Sources in the Israeli Ministry of Transportation and the aviation industry indicate a stalemate, with the UAE not meeting Israel's minimum security requirements. Israel is demanding the deployment of Israeli security guards on UAE soil and the installation of screening stations at Dubai airports for checked baggage, measures already in place in many other countries.
These security concerns have previously impacted Israeli airlines, which had halted flights to the UAE due to unmet Shin Bet security demands. Following an incident involving a Flydubai flight, Israel had hoped for a breakthrough, facilitating temporary "rescue flights" for Israeli carriers. However, deep security disagreements, particularly regarding baggage screening and the presence of Israeli security personnel, led to the suspension of even these flights.
The dispute extends to Flydubai's return to Israel. The airline had extended its suspension of flights to Israel until at least the end of October, citing an ongoing investigation. Despite Flydubai's claims of completing its review, Israeli security officials cite "security gaps" as the reason for the continued impasse.
Beneath the security issues, a quid pro quo appears to be at play. Israeli industry sources suggest a potential equation where the return of Israeli airlines to the UAE is contingent on Flydubai's return to Israel, and vice versa. The UAE, a government-owned entity, is reportedly focused on its financial interests, while Israel may be leveraging the situation to ensure its airlines can resume operations. The UAE, in turn, seems to be using the potential return of Israeli flights as leverage for Flydubai's resumption, emphasizing that similar security protocols can be applied.
Currently, only Etihad Airways operates flights between the UAE and Israel, leading to concerns that Israel may have more to lose in the prolonged stalemate. The situation involves multiple Israeli agencies, including the Shin Bet, Mossad, National Security Council, and the Ministries of Transportation and Prime Minister's Office, creating a complex web of security, economic, and aviation disputes. The ongoing lack of flights is expected to drive up airfare prices due to reduced supply.
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