El Al’s efforts to repatriate stranded Israelis from Dubai have hit a snag as the airline was forced to cancel two special flights due to a lack of landing permission from United Arab Emirates authorities. These flights were intended to bring home Israelis who found themselves stuck in Dubai following an incident that led to the suspension of flydubai services between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
The situation unfolded after a co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot on a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. This mid-air altercation, which required passengers to intervene and help restrain the co-pilot, resulted in the aircraft being diverted to Saudi Arabia. In response to this disruption, El Al had organized special flights to assist those caught in travel limbo during the Sukkot holiday period.
Despite the setback, El Al remains on standby to proceed with the repatriation flights as soon as it receives the necessary approvals and security arrangements are finalized. Meanwhile, regular El Al services from Dubai to Tel Aviv are expected to resume on Sunday, although seats are already heavily booked in the upcoming week.
The cancelled flights were part of a plan by El Al to offer fixed-price, one-way tickets to facilitate the return of Israeli citizens. As the situation develops, travelers are urged to stay informed about their options and potential changes in flight schedules.