El Al suspends planned repatriation flights to Dubai after landing clearance withdrawn

El Al Israel Airlines announced on Friday that it had to cancel its rescue flights to Dubai after the Israeli government withdrew permission for its aircraft to land there. The airline said it would resume the flights once official clearance is restored, aiming to bring Israelis who are currently abroad back to Israel.

The Transportation Ministry indicated that, after coordination with relevant parties, flights from Dubai to Israel were slated to start on October 2, but security officials need additional time to complete preparations, causing a delay in the departure of repatriation flights. > "Citizens currently in Dubai should remain in contact with the airlines through which their tickets were booked and follow their instructions and updates," the ministry said.

Authorities estimate that more than 10,000 Israelis are stranded in Dubai and other destinations where they had expected to return via the United Arab Emirates. Later that day, Israir reported receiving final approvals from Emirati authorities for flights departing Israel to Dubai, but El Al did not issue a similar statement.

Separately, a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a dispute between the captain and co-pilot resulted in a stabbing and the activation of a distress signal. The aircraft, which briefly disappeared from tracking systems, eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia.