Arkia flight 2999 touched down at Ben Gurion Airport at 1:00 a.m. local time Saturday, the first Israeli‑run service to depart the UAE since the flydubai incident.
The arrival follows the dramatic event on Wednesday when a flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv was struck by an assault on board: an Indian captain was attacked by his co‑pilot, but the cockpit door was opened and passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
UAE authorities have launched an investigation into the motives behind the attack, while Israeli and U.S. officials say the incident could be tied to Islamist extremism or Iranian influence.
The resumption of Israeli‑run flights signals a cautious step toward normalising air links, but the crisis has prompted a review of security protocols across the industry.