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The Israel Airports Authority confirmed the arrival of the Arkia-operated flight at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 1 a.m. local time on Saturday, according to Jordan News. This marked the first repatriation effort for Israelis stranded in Dubai following the low-cost carrier’s temporary suspension of flights to Israel. Jordan News reported that the operation came after Israeli airline El Al canceled its own scheduled flights for Friday with no new date announced by a company spokesperson.
The suspension stemmed from Wednesday’s incident involving a Flydubai aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 172 people aboard, most of them Israelis, Jordan News stated. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an alleged attempt by the co-pilot to bring down the aircraft, an event that officials indicated narrowly avoided disaster. Israeli media including The Times of Israel had announced the departure of the Arkia flight as the initial step to retrieve those affected passengers.
UAE authorities responded on Thursday by launching a formal investigation, the UAE judiciary confirmed according to Jordan News. The Attorney General ordered officials to determine whether the event connected to any terrorist activity or involved prior planning or direction. This judicial review remains ongoing as coordination between Israeli and Emirati security bodies continues.
In a separate development covered by Jordan News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the episode as a dispute between pilots rather than a hijacking or security-related event. Israeli security agencies reached a similar assessment after discussions that included the defense minister, shifting attention toward safe passenger returns. The clarification helped ease immediate concerns surrounding the diverted flight.
Israel’s Transport Ministry noted that it could not immediately organize additional special flights because preparations and coordination with UAE security authorities had yet to conclude. The ministry emphasized the necessity of completing these steps before further operations could launch safely. Earlier statements indicated that such requirements delayed broader repatriation efforts beyond the single Arkia service.
Related coverage in Jordan News highlighted how the event disrupted air travel links that have expanded significantly between the two countries in recent years. The first Arkia flight’s success establishes a pathway for additional returns once full approvals secure. Officials on both sides continue monitoring the judicial process to inform future aviation protocols.
