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First Etihad Airways flight from Israel lands in UAE on Monday

The historic Boeing 787 flight departed from Tel Aviv today carrying a special delegation.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will become the first GCC carrier to operate a commercial passenger flight to and from Israel by bringing Israel's top travel and tourism leaders to the UAE.

The historic flight, flown in partnership with the Maman Group, will depart Tel Aviv on October 19.

Operated by an Etihad Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the journey from Israel to the UAE will take three and a half hours. The return journey will depart Abu Dhabi on 21 October.

The flight will bring a group of tourism industry leaders, key corporate decision makers, travel agents, and cargo agents, along with media to experience Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, at the invitation of Etihad Airways and representatives of Abu Dhabi's tourism industry.

This is the latest development in a growing cooperation between the two nations following the establishment of diplomatic ties, and the signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in Washington D.C. on 15 September. It also follows Israeli national airline El Al's first symbolic commercial flight between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi on 31 August.

"Today's flight is a historic opportunity for the development of strong partnerships here in the UAE, and in Israel, and Etihad as the national airline, is delighted to be leading the way. We are just starting to explore the long-term potential of these newly forged relationships, which will be sure to greatly benefit the economies of both nations, particularly in the areas of trade and tourism, and ultimately the people who call this diverse and wonderful region home," Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Etihad Aviation Group, said:

As an important facilitator of trade, the flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi will also carry commercial cargo sourced from, and destined for, points across Etihad's global network, in addition to commercial guests.

The UAE and Israel signed a US-brokered peace agreement on September 15 to normalise relations.