First Israeli Repatriation Flight From Dubai Lands in Tel Aviv

An Arkia flight carrying Israelis from Dubai landed at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, marking the first confirmed Israeli-operated repatriation flight after commercial air links with the United Arab Emirates were disrupted following an attack aboard a FlyDubai aircraft. The flight departed Dubai on Friday, according to airport arrival information. Israeli authorities and airlines had arranged repatriation services for people stranded in the UAE, but preparations and security approvals delayed some departures. The Israeli Transportation Ministry said the flights were intended to bring home around 1,800 stranded Israelis, though the reports do not establish how many ultimately returned or on what schedule. The disruption followed Wednesday’s incident aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. Officials said the captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the copilot after the captain was attacked. The aircraft carried 174 passengers and eight crew members, according to reports.