Israel-Palestine conflict: Emirates suspends all flights to Tel Aviv until October 20

Fluid situation

Due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, the situation in the country is volatile and UAE-based carriers are adjusting their flight operations.

Emirates initially announced on Wednesday reducing its flight operations to and from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) from three return flights to one daily beginning on Friday, October 13, until October 31.

Another Dubai carrier, flydubai, which operates four return flights daily, also announced reduced operations to and from Israel for more than two weeks.

An airline spokesperson told Khaleej Times on Wedneday: “From October 13, until October 31, flydubai will consolidate its flight schedule to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and will operate two daily flights FZ 1549/1550 and FZ 1209/1210 .

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are liaising with the relevant authorities regarding the ongoing developments,” added the flydubai spokesperson.

Flights from Abu Dhabi

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has postponed all flights to and from Tel Aviv on October 11.

A spokesperson for Etihad Airways, meanwhile, has confirmed flights EY593/EY594 between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv (TLV) have resumed services from Wednesday.

Security concerns

Many international airlines have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv.

On Wednesday, British Airways suspended all of its flights to Tel Aviv after it diverted a flight from London back to Britain due to security concerns in Israel.

According to reports, Virgin Atlantic also said it will halt all flights to and from Tel Aviv for the next 72 hours, citing the safety of passengers and crew.

Air France also earlier announced suspending services to and from Tel Aviv "until further notice". Lufthansa, Ryanair, Aegan Airlines and some US carriers have also pulled flights. Air India also cancelled their flights, according to ANI.

Aviation authorities have cautioned airlines flying into Israel but haven't grounded any flights. Industry and security experts, however, have warned “the current airspace situation was risky due to ongoing rocket attacks”.

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