A source close to the United Arab Emirates government has accused the Israeli administration of leveraging the recent flydubai incident for political ends and of slowing the reinstatement of the carrier’s services, Ynet reported. The allegation centres on the suspension of all flydubai flights to Israel, which the airline announced would remain in effect until further notice.
Following the suspension, an Arkia aircraft was dispatched to Dubai on Saturday to bring back Israeli passengers who had been stranded after the service halt. The flight succeeded in repatriating a number of travellers, and a second aircraft operated by Israir was slated to follow later in the day, according to the same source.
Flydubai’s decision to cease all flights to Israel came amid heightened tension in the region, prompting both airlines and authorities to coordinate emergency measures. The airline’s statement indicated that the suspension would stay in place pending further developments, without specifying a timeline for resumption.
One of the unresolved issues highlighted by the UAE source involved a request from Emirati officials that a cargo aircraft accompany the passenger evacuation flights. The purpose of the cargo plane, as described, was to transport the luggage of the passengers returning to Israel, a condition that had yet to be satisfied at the time of reporting.
The source further claimed that Israeli officials were portraying the evacuation flights as “rescue missions” while simultaneously delaying the broader restoration of flydubai’s regular schedule. The implication, as presented by the source, is that the Israeli government is using the situation to advance a political narrative rather than focusing solely on the logistical aspects of the airline’s operations.
The episode underscores the complex interplay between aviation logistics and diplomatic considerations in the Middle East, where airline suspensions can quickly acquire a political dimension. While the immediate priority remains the safe return of stranded passengers, the broader dispute over service restoration and ancillary demands such as cargo support continues to shape the bilateral dialogue between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/uae-source-ynet-netanyahu-connecting-flydubai-episode-iran-political.