Israeli airlines are being permitted to continue direct flights to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) continues efforts to resolve an aviation security dispute with officials at Dubai International Airport.
A few days ago, the Shin Bet said direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai might be halted over the dispute, which is preventing Israeli officials from properly securing Israeli airlines.
No details were released on the exact nature of the dispute, which is focused on security arrangements at Dubai International Airport.
A senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that the deadline – due to expire this Tuesday – was extended by Transport Minister Merav Michaeli “by about a month” to enable talks to continue.
If the issue cannot be resolved and Israeli airlines are no longer able to fly to Dubai, a reciprocal ban would likely be in force. “If ELAL can’t fly to the Emirates then Emirati companies can’t land here,” the official told the news outlet.
Earlier, the Shin Bet said that flights halted from reaching Dubai could be rerouted to the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi – a 90-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. The Israeli official, however, said the alternative plan might be an option security-wise, but “is not an economic option” because Abu Dhabi attracts much less traffic.
Most of the United Arab Emirates’ Jewish tourism and kosher food offerings are based in Dubai.
Direct flights between the two cities, launched by Israel’s national carrier ELAL Airlines, Israir and Arkia, began after the signing of the historic Abraham Accords in October 2020. Dubai has become a very popular tourist destination for Israeli travelers since that time.
