After a night of negotiations with the United Arab Emirates, Israel can now begin operating repatriation flights from Dubai. The Ministry of Transportation announced that agreements have been reached that will allow Israeli companies to return the passengers remaining in the UAE.
The security coordination caused delays, and El Al cancelled two flights that were planned for today.
Arkia, on the other hand, announced that it received the required permissions and is preparing to send two empty planes to Dubai on Friday night to return Israeli passengers. On Saturday, a total of five Arkia and Israir repatriation flights are expected to leave the UAE, and on Saturday night El Al will probably operate an additional flight.
The approval followed the UAE's reconsideration of the request to operate Israeli flights. Overnight, talks involving the Shin Bet, Civil Aviation Authority, Transportation Ministry, and Israeli Ambassador to the UAE Yossi Shelley were held in an attempt to reach a solution
At the conclusion of the discussions, the Transportation Ministry announced that "it was agreed that flights operated by Israeli airlines from Dubai to Israel would begin on Friday."
Alongside the announcement that the crisis had been resolved, the ministry clarified that additional preparations were still required before operations could proceed as planned: "Due to the need to complete the necessary preparations and coordination with security authorities for the operation of the flights, a delay is expected in the departure of repatriation flights from Dubai."
The change was already reflected in flight schedules this morning. El Al announced that the two rescue flights it had planned to operate to Israel today had been canceled. Under the original plan, the flights were scheduled to depart Dubai at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., after the aircraft flew from Tel Aviv to Dubai without passengers.
The airline is preparing to continue operating rescue flights, but with Shabbat approaching, the likelihood of operating the flights today is low.
At this stage, El Al flights are scheduled for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week, and all seats on those flights have already been booked.
Demand for flights was evident as soon as ticket sales opened. El Al announced last night that all tickets offered on its website sold out in just five minutes. Tickets were priced at $249 for a Lite fare.
The situation is different at Arkia. The airline, which also operates flights on Shabbat, has opened ticket sales and is preparing to begin bringing passengers back to Israel as early as today. Ticket prices for the special flights start at $279 per passenger.
"Following extensive discussions and intensive efforts by all parties involved, Arkia has received the necessary approvals to operate flights from Dubai and will operate one flight today and another tomorrow," the airline stated.
It added: "At the same time, at the request of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the company is working to operate three additional flights over the weekend, beyond those already scheduled, and is doing everything possible to make them happen."
According to Arkia's original schedule, the first flight was expected to depart Dubai today at 7:10 p.m. local time, while the last scheduled flight is set to depart on Tuesday at 9:10 p.m. The airline clarified that changes may occur depending on instructions from security authorities and regulators.
Israir is also preparing to participate in bringing Israelis home. The airline announced that it intends to operate two rescue flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Friday, subject to receiving the necessary approvals. Initially, tickets will be available only for flights from Dubai to Israel, priced at $299 one-way.
Unlike the airlines that have already opened ticket sales, Israir chose to wait.
"Israir preferred to wait because the slot allocation process [the assignment of specific time windows for aircraft takeoffs and landings at airports] raised concerns, and the company's management decided to hold off rather than open the flights for sale," the airline stated.
Earlier, the company clarified: "Once there is certainty, the flights will go on sale."
Alongside the rescue flights, Israir is also preparing to resume its regular service between Tel Aviv and Dubai in both directions. The plan calls for eight to ten flights per week, although the resumption of regular operations also depends on receiving the necessary approvals.
Passengers boarding the repatriation flights will be required to leave most of their luggage behind. Under the authorities' decision, passengers will be permitted to board with only a small bag. Carry-on suitcases will not be allowed in the cabin, while checked luggage will be transported separately to Israel on cargo flights and delivered to passengers after arrival. The restriction also applies to Arkia's rescue flights.