Flydubai to begin flights to Tel Aviv

Flydubai will begin flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 26 November, which means it will become the first United Arab Emirates airline to start a regular service following September’s so-called Abraham Accords diplomatic agreement between Israel and some Gulf states. “The carrier will operate 14 flights a week offering a double-daily service between Dubai International and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion” the company said.

“Following the recent bilateral agreement, the start of scheduled flights will contribute to economic development and create further opportunities for investment in pursuit of our shared interests and values,” said CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith. “With the start of services, there will be the option for increased accessibility to the UAE as well as onwards to the Indian Ocean, Far East, and Africa, reducing total journey times by several hours.”

On 19 October, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways completed the first-ever commercial passenger flight by a Gulf Cooperation Council country to Israel, a one-off flight to Tel Aviv, in order to bring Israeli delegations to the UAE capital.

“As a travel trade mission, 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,” it said the day of the flight.