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The first Israeli flight designated to repatriate citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates departed Dubai late Friday following the suspension of FlyDubai services between the two countries.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said an Arkia flight took off from Dubai carrying Israeli passengers who remained stranded in the UAE after what it described as “an attempted hijacking of a FlyFubai aircraft.”
KAN said Israeli security authorities authorized Israeli airlines to operate repatriation flights from Dubai on Thursday but did not specify how many passengers were affected.
During the initial phase, passengers will not be allowed to place luggage in the aircraft hold because a dedicated security system is not yet available, the broadcaster said.
KAN quoted a source familiar with air traffic between Israel and the UAE as saying Emirati authorities were in contact with the Israeli side “in an effort to prevent the incident from developing into a broader crisis that could lead to a prolonged suspension of flights.”
Emirati carrier FlyDubai stressed Friday the importance of allowing an official investigation to establish the facts surrounding Wednesday’s incident.
Earlier Friday, Israeli airline El Al said it had canceled planned flights to evacuate Israelis from Dubai after the UAE withdrew landing permission previously granted to Israeli carriers.
Flight FZ1073 was involved in an incident inside the cockpit, while conflicting accounts have circulated about what happened and the motive.
An official investigation is underway.
FlyDubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv after the incident, saying the safety and well-being of passengers, crew and operations remained its top priority.
The airline said the temporary suspension would allow authorities to continue the investigation and determine the full circumstances of the incident.
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