Dubai flights remain suspended as security dispute keeps Israeli airlines out of UAE
Flydubai has extended its suspension of flights to Israel through December 15 following the September hijacking attempt. The move adds to an aviation standoff that has already delayed the return of El Al, Arkia and other Israeli carriers to the UAE.
Emirati airline Flydubai has extended the suspension of its flights between Dubai and Ben Gurion Airport through December 15, 2026, leaving the route without regular direct commercial services for more than two months.
The airline halted flights to Israel on September 30, following the attempted hijacking aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit. Flydubai subsequently suspended all flights to and from Israel while authorities investigated the incident.
The UAE's attorney general later said that the investigation had determined that the flight's assistant captain had attempted to seize control of the aircraft in what he described as an attempted suicide operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport. The airline has said it is cooperating with the investigation.
The latest extension comes amid an ongoing dispute over security arrangements that has also prevented Israeli airlines from resuming regular flights to the UAE. El Al had previously planned to return to the Dubai route in November but postponed its restart until December 15. Arkia has suspended its service to the UAE until further notice, while Israeli carriers have continued to face restrictions on operating regular flights to the country.
The suspension has created an unusual situation in which the only regular direct commercial air connection between Israel and the UAE is operated by Etihad Airways, which continues to fly between Abu Dhabi and Ben Gurion Airport. Emirates flights to Tel Aviv and codeshare services involving Emirates and Flydubai are also suspended.
The disruption follows months of disagreements between Israeli and Emirati security officials over the conditions under which Israeli airlines would be permitted to operate in the UAE, including security screening arrangements at Dubai airport.
