Dubai budget carrier FlyDubai’s first commercial charter flight to Tel Aviv landed on November 8. In becoming the first Emirati airline to begin flights – after a US-brokered deal to normalise relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel – the flight suggests a new dawn in regional tourism, quite apart from its diplomatic implications.
Regular scheduled flights on FlyDubai between the two regional financial hubs will begin later this month, the carrier said, after the bilateral air travel pact was signed in October. The state-owned carrier is already selling tickets on its website for dates from November 26.
In recent weeks, planes carrying dozens of Israelis, eager to make public their long-secret business ties with the UAE, have touched down in Dubai to meet their Emirati counterparts. Other national carriers have already started direct cargo flights and the countries have signed a raft of deals, including one granting visa exemption for Israeli travellers.
FlyDubai said the 14 weekly flights would significantly boost commercial relations between the UAE and Israel, as well as opening up a crucial new hub for Israelis travelling to East Asia and Africa, shaving hours off journey times. The deal has set off a flurry of excitement in Israel, where tourists have for years faced onerous restrictions due to Israel’s status as a political pariah in the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to let Israeli flights pass through its airspace for the first time is a diplomatic milestone in itself, making the Tel Aviv-Dubai route commercially viable, with a flight time of just under four hours.
“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 Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of FlyDubai.
Dubai, with its luxury hotels and cavernous malls, will be glad of the influx as its economy, built largely on tourism and hospitality, suffers from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
The low-cost carrier operates out of both of Dubai’s airports, including Dubai International Airport, ranked the world’s busiest for international travel before the pandemic. FlyDubai has code-share flights with the flagship Emirates Airline, but the two operate independently.
Bahrain swiftly followed the UAE in normalising relations with Israel and expect to start their own flights to Israel soon. The pair of agreements marked an unexpected last-minute diplomatic win for US President Donald Trump just ahead of his unsuccessful re-election campaign.
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