El Al is preparing to launch the first of a series of special repatriation flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv, after Flydubai suspended its service following Wednesday’s foiled terror attack.
Announced on Thursday, the Israeli flagship carrier said it expects its first flight to depart Dubai on Friday, subject to final security approval, to return with Israeli passengers who had been booked to fly home on Flydubai before the suspension prompted by the incident.
El Al said the one-way repatriation tickets will cost $249 (£188), including one piece of carry-on luggage. Tickets are expected to become available through the airline’s website and travel agents once the required approvals have been granted.
The passengers on the targeted flight itself have already returned to Israel, but the subsequent travel freeze has left other Israelis
The flights are part of a wider government-backed effort involving El Al, Arkia and Israir to bring home Israelis left stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The Transportation Ministry said the government had reached an agreement with the Finance Ministry to compensate Israeli airlines for the cost of flying empty aircraft from Israel to Dubai.
“Israeli airlines are therefore required to maintain fair pricing and refrain from exploiting the situation,” the Ministry said.
According to the Transportation Ministry, Israir plans to charge $299 (£226) for its one-way service, while El Al will be selling their tickets for $249.
The government is also seeking to expand alternative routes home. An urgent request has been submitted to increase the number of Etihad Airways flights operating between Abu Dhabi and Israel, the ministry said.
The repatriation effort follows Flydubai’s decision to suspend all flights between Israel and Dubai while authorities investigate the altercation aboard Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday.
Per Israeli authorities, the flight’s co-pilot stabbed the captain, then tried to bring the plane down in what Defence Minister Israel Katz labelled “an attempted jihadist terror attack”.
However, the captain reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing a group of passengers and crew to enter and subdue his assailant.
An Israeli man righted the plane from its nosedive before handing over control to a reserve flight crew, themselves travelling as passengers, who landed the flight safely in Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai confirmed that it had temporarily halted its Israel flights in coordination with the relevant authorities.
“This temporary suspension will allow the relevant authorities to continue their work and establish all the facts surrounding the incident,” a flydubai spokesperson said.
The airline added that it remained in contact with government authorities, regulators and airports and would reassess the suspension as more information became available.
The Transportation Ministry is advising passengers whose Flydubai flights were cancelled to contact the airline directly and pursue their legal rights. Those rights may include refunds, accommodation and other assistance required as a result of the disruption.
The government’s decision to subsidise the empty outbound legs is intended to make the repatriation operation financially viable for Israeli airlines while keeping fares controlled for passengers.
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.