El Al has postponed planned repatriation flights from Dubai after the UAE revoked the carrier's Dubai landing permission following a violent cockpit incident on a Flydubai plane. Two Friday departures were canceled; El Al now aims to fly from Sunday and Arkia and Israir have been chartered to assist. Flydubai has suspended services to and from Israel while investigators probe an alleged in-flight stabbing and emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
El Al Delays Repatriation Flights After UAE Withdraws Dubai Landing Permission Following Flydubai Cockpit Incident
A replacement Flydubai plane lands at Ben Gurion Airport. The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a violent altercation in the cockpit. (is associated with: «Stranded Flydubai passengers face delay to flights back to Israel») Gil Cohen-Magen/dpa
El Al has postponed planned repatriation flights for Israeli citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates after a violent incident on a Flydubai flight prompted the UAE to withdraw El Al's landing permission for Dubai.
Flight Changes and Repatriation Plans
El Al said it canceled two flights that had been scheduled to depart Dubai on Friday — listed as 11:00 (0700 GMT) and 13:00 local time — and now aims to resume departures from Sunday. Israeli media reported that the rescheduled seats were quickly fully booked. In addition to El Al, Israeli carriers Arkia and Israir have been chartered to help bring citizens home; Arkia had listed a Friday flight but its status was unclear.
Numbers, Coordination And Possible Delays
Israel's Transport Ministry had initially announced repatriation flights would begin on Friday but warned that departures could be delayed for operational or security coordination reasons. Local reports said more than 10,000 Israelis remain stranded in Dubai and other destinations.
The Flydubai Cockpit Incident
Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate a violent altercation that reportedly took place in the cockpit of one of its aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli officials say the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and that the plane briefly entered a nosedive. According to reports, the Indian pilot managed to open the cockpit door, the alleged attacker was overpowered, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where a relief crew that had been traveling in the cabin took over.
Official Position: Israel's government has described the episode as a suspected attempted jihadist terrorist attack by the co-pilot, who is reported to be from Oman. Investigations are ongoing and important questions remain unanswered.
What To Expect
Passengers affected by the cancellations should check directly with their carriers for updates on new departures, seat availability and charter options. Authorities and airlines continue to coordinate repatriation logistics while investigators pursue leads related to the in-flight incident.
Note: Details including motive and exact timeline remain under investigation; some accounts remain unconfirmed.
Help us improve.
