(Photo by Anadolu)
DUBAI – The first Israeli repatriation flight carrying citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates departed Dubai late Friday after Flydubai suspended services between the UAE and Israel following an incident involving one of its aircraft.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that an Arkia flight left Dubai with Israeli passengers who had been unable to return home after the suspension of Flydubai operations.
KAN said Israeli security authorities had authorized Israeli airlines on Thursday to operate repatriation flights from Dubai, although the number of affected passengers was not immediately disclosed.
During the initial phase of the repatriation effort, passengers will not be allowed to check in luggage because a dedicated security system for baggage handling is not yet in place, the broadcaster reported.
A source familiar with air traffic between Israel and the UAE told KAN that Emirati authorities were coordinating with the Israeli side in an effort to prevent the incident from escalating into a wider dispute that could lead to a prolonged suspension of flights.
Flydubai, meanwhile, said Friday that an official investigation should be allowed to establish the facts surrounding the incident involving flight FZ1073.
Conflicting accounts have emerged over what happened inside the cockpit and the motive behind the incident, while authorities continue their investigation.
Israeli airline El Al had earlier said it canceled planned evacuation flights from Dubai after the UAE withdrew landing permission previously granted to Israeli carriers.
Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv after the incident, saying the safety and well-being of passengers, crew and operations remained its top priority.
The airline said the suspension would allow authorities to continue investigating and determine the full circumstances of the incident.
