Abu Dhabi Emerges as New Hub for Israelis After Dubai Flights Canceled
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Abu Dhabi is becoming a new hub for Israeli travelers following the suspension of flights to Dubai after a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai plane. Etihad Airways is increasing flights and seat capacity, reporting a significant rise in bookings. Travel industry professionals and experts note a shift in Israeli travel patterns, with Abu Dhabi now serving as both a transit point and a destination, though its long-term viability as a major hub depends on competitive factors.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Abu Dhabi is emerging as a new hub for Israeli travelers after Dubai flights were suspended.
- Etihad Airways is increasing flights and seat capacity to Abu Dhabi, reporting over 60% rise in bookings.
- A recent hijacking attempt on a Flydubai plane led to the suspension of its flights to Israel.
- Travel agencies are seeing more Israelis consider Abu Dhabi for vacations and onward travel to the East.
- Experts suggest Abu Dhabi's long-term potential as a hub depends on price, availability, and convenience.
Following the suspension of flights to Dubai due to a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai plane, Abu Dhabi, operated by Etihad Airways, is stepping in to become a primary transit and vacation hub for Israeli travelers. This shift has led to a significant increase in bookings for flights to Abu Dhabi, with some travel industry representatives reporting a rise of over 60%.
Historically, Istanbul served as a major transit point for Israelis traveling to the East. After the cancellation of flights to Turkey due to the war, Dubai quickly filled that void, with Flydubai maintaining services even during difficult periods. However, the recent incident has disrupted this, leaving many Israelis with canceled bookings.
Etihad Airways currently operates six daily flights from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, with plans to increase seat capacity starting November 9 by deploying a larger aircraft on one of the daily routes. The airline notes that while the cancellations in Dubai have boosted demand for Abu Dhabi flights, availability remains limited due to pre-existing high occupancy.
Travel agencies report that Israelis are now considering Abu Dhabi not only as a departure point for onward travel to destinations like Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Seoul, and China but also as a vacation destination in its own right. Experts suggest that while Abu Dhabi offers a viable alternative, Etihad's smaller fleet compared to Emirates might limit its long-term potential as a major hub, depending on factors like price, availability, and convenience.
Looking ahead, the return of flights to Dubai by airlines like Emirates and Flydubai is anticipated. However, the recent incident may impact traveler confidence in Flydubai, potentially leading Emirates to resume direct flights to Israel. Ultimately, competitive pricing and convenience will likely determine whether Israelis continue to favor Abu Dhabi as their primary transit point.
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