Historic Israel-UAE coordination ensures free rescue flights as regional conflict disrupts international air travel routes.
The Israeli Ministry of Transportation announced overnight that a special framework has been approved to bring home Israeli citizens currently staying in the United Arab Emirates. The plan was finalized following a direct conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflecting close coordination between the two countries during the ongoing regional crisis.
Under the new arrangement, special rescue flights will be operated free of charge for Israelis currently stranded in the Emirates. The flights will be carried out in cooperation with Emirati airlines and will begin once airspace gradually reopens following the recent security restrictions across the region.
The coordinated operation highlights the growing strategic relationship between Israel and the UAE, which has strengthened in recent years through diplomatic and security cooperation. Both governments worked together to ensure that Israeli citizens can safely return home despite the disruptions affecting regional aviation.
At the same time, Israeli airlines confirmed that outbound flights from Israel would begin operating under the framework set by the Ministry of Transportation starting Sunday morning. To maintain security and manage air traffic during the gradual reopening of airspace, each departing flight will initially be limited to seventy passengers.
Israel’s national carrier El Al also announced additional measures to assist international travelers affected by the disruption. The airline stated that it will proactively contact foreign passengers whose flights from Israel were canceled and will rebook them free of charge on special rescue flights.
According to the airline, these rescue flights will connect travelers to twenty-two destinations worldwide. El Al emphasized that new ticket sales for departing flights will remain closed for the time being until all passengers whose original flights were canceled have been successfully reassigned to alternative departures.
