Israeli citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates following the cancellation of Flydubai flights have begun making their way back to Tel Aviv via connecting flights at their own expense, rather than waiting for dedicated evacuation flights.
Those stranded said the available alternatives are often expensive, time-consuming and exhausting, amid the suspension of direct flights between the UAE and Israel.
Nikolai, a Tel Aviv resident who was in Dubai on a business trip, said he had planned to return to Israel on a Flydubai flight but had not booked his ticket in advance, intending to make the reservation closer to his planned travel date on Friday or Saturday.
He said Flydubai canceled all of its flights, while Arkia flights were fully booked through the end of October. As a result, he purchased a one-way ticket to Israel via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a cost of more than €1,000.
Return Flights Through Other Countries
Alexei, another Israeli from Tel Aviv, said he planned to travel from Dubai to Tel Aviv via Baku, Azerbaijan, rather than wait for evacuation flights.
Meanwhile, Arkia and Israir received approval from the UAE aviation authorities to operate evacuation flights for Israeli citizens stranded in Dubai after Flydubai suspended its flights following the recent developments.
El Al, Israel’s national carrier, had previously canceled all return flights scheduled for October 2 because the necessary permits had not been obtained at the time. The airline later began making new arrangements to assist in bringing stranded passengers back to Israel.
