Israir has received approval from Dubai airport to operate a rescue flight for Israelis stranded in the UAE after flydubai suspended its service to Israel, N12 reported Friday. Seats will not go on sale until all the relevant parties give final approval. A second Israir rescue flight from Dubai is being prepared for the end of the Sukkot holiday.
The approval comes as El Al canceled its repatriation flights scheduled for Friday, saying the UAE had pulled its approval. Rescue flights had been expected to begin Friday after a last-minute security dispute was resolved overnight in talks between Israeli and Emirati officials.
Israir had priced one-way tickets from Dubai at $299, while El Al offered $249 and Arkia $279. Passengers will be allowed one personal bag only.
At least 1,700 Israelis are stranded for every day flydubai remains suspended, according to Ziontours Jerusalem CEO Mark Feldman. Flydubai halted its Israel service after Wednesday's attack on flight FZ1073, in which the Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane.
