El Al announced the abrupt cancellation of all repatriation flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Friday, following flydubai’s decision to suspend its Tel Aviv service after an in‑flight attack disrupted operations.
The Israeli transport ministry confirmed that the airline had not yet secured the necessary approval from the United Arab Emirates to conduct these flights, a prerequisite that has been stalled amid diplomatic tensions.
The move leaves tens of thousands of Israelis in Dubai without a clear pathway home, as the airline has not yet set a new departure date. Many of the stranded travelers, including families and business executives, are now scrambling for alternative arrangements.
Officials from the Israeli embassy in the UAE have urged the UAE authorities to expedite the approval process, while El Al’s spokesperson hinted that the airline will re‑open the route as soon as the regulatory hurdle is cleared.
Meanwhile, flydubai has pledged to resume service to Tel Aviv once security concerns are fully addressed, signalling a potential reopening of the corridor in the coming weeks.