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UAE flights to Israel, Germany hit by strikes

Etihad, flydubai, Emirates airline services are affected due to the ongoing union protest in the two countries

Published: Mon 27 Mar 2023, 4:08 PM

Updated: Mon 27 Mar 2023, 11:01 PM

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Flights from UAE to Israel and Germany were disrupted on Monday due to protests and strikes in the two countries. Some Israel-bound Etihad Airways flights that took off from the UAE had to return, and flydubai flights were also delayed due to a strike at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

“As a result of an unplanned industrial action affecting all aircraft movements at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Etihad flight EY593 from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on March 27 has returned to Abu Dhabi. Consequently, Etihad Airways flight EY593 from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv (TLV) and EY594 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi on March 27 will be cancelled,” an Etihad Airways spokesperson said in a statement to Khaleej Times.

Ben Gurion airport, the largest airport in Israel, on Monday announced an immediate halt to all take-offs but resumed later. Some parts of Israel were brought to a standstill after the country’s largest trade union announced a strike against the government’s overhaul of the judicial system.

“The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is always Etihad’s highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and plan to provide additional capacity to and from Tel Aviv on March 28,” Etihad Airways said in the statement on Monday.

“We regret any inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control. Our staff are doing all they can to assist our guests,” it said.

A flydubai spokesperson said due to the situation at Ben Gurion International Airport, two flydubai flights FZ 1550 and FZ1210 from Tel Aviv to Dubai have been delayed. “We are monitoring the situation and will provide further updates if required. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our passengers' travel schedule,” flydubai said.

In addition, Emirates flights to Germany were affected on Monday as well due to Germany’s two largest unions going on strike to demand higher wages.

The Dubai-based airline’s flights to Munich, Frankfurt, and Dusseldorf were affected on Monday due to the strike.

“Customer connecting on cancelled flights to Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf will not be accepted for travel at the origin. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers. Affected customers who have booked with travel agents should contact them for alternative travel arrangements.

“Customers who have booked directly with Emirates may contact their local office for rebooking options,” the airline said. Its flights were affected on Sunday, too, due to a national industrial strike in the European country.

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