Israel's Shin Bet security service has informed El Al, Arkia, and Israir that the ban on Israeli carriers landing in Dubai has been extended until the end of October, according to a report first published by N12's Dean Fischer. Tens of thousands of Israelis are expected to receive notice in the coming hours that their tickets have been canceled.
The restriction was originally set to expire at the start of September, but the Shin Bet has now decided to extend it once again, citing ongoing security tensions across the Middle East and concern over a possible escalation between Iran and the United States.
The ban applies only to Israeli airlines. The foreign carriers Flydubai and Etihad will continue operating their routes between Ben Gurion Airport and the UAE without any change to their schedules, meaning Israelis can still reach Dubai and Abu Dhabi, just not on an Israeli-flagged carrier.
Dubai has become one of the most in-demand destinations for Israeli travelers in recent years, prized for its combination of high-end hospitality, personal security, and convenient connecting flights, and the renewed restriction is expected to hit the travel industry hard even as it enters its slower summer season for the destination.
