Arkia has launched its first flight to Dubai to bring stranded Israeli passengers home after UAE authorities revoked landing permission for an earlier planned El Al flight, disrupting repatriation efforts.
According to reports, more than 10,000 Israelis are stranded in Dubai and other destinations, facing uncertainty over their return journeys.
Arkia’s first flight marks the start of renewed efforts to bring passengers back. A separate cargo aircraft is also expected to collect passengers’ luggage at the request of UAE authorities.
Additional flights operated by Arkia and Israir are expected, with Israir confirming that it had received final approvals from Emirati authorities to operate flights from Israel to Dubai. A Saturday night flight is also planned on behalf of El Al.
However, the situation has exposed differing perspectives between Israeli officials and the UAE.
A source close to the UAE criticized Israel’s use of the term “rescue flights,” arguing that Dubai remains safe and that the Emirates had agreed to Israeli requests. The source also claimed that flydubai had offered to operate flights to Israel under alternative security protocols, but Israeli officials declined.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Transportation Ministry said that additional coordination and security preparations had delayed the planned departure of repatriation flights from Dubai. Passengers have been advised to remain in contact with their airlines for updates.
The situation follows a separate and alarming incident on Wednesday, when a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent altercation between the captain and co-pilot. One of the pilots was stabbed, and the aircraft transmitted a distress signal before making an emergency landing.
With thousands of passengers awaiting their return and flight operations subject to approvals and security arrangements, the coming days will be crucial for restoring regular travel between Dubai and Israel.
