Israeli Delegation Heads to Dubai for Talks on Resuming Flights
Transport Ministry officials are due to discuss security arrangements and possible flight resumptions after the September 30 attempted hijacking. No restart date has been announced.
An Israeli Transport Ministry delegation departed Sunday for the United Arab Emirates for talks aimed at resuming flights between Israel and Dubai, according to reports citing the ministry.
The delegation, led by ministry director-general Moshe Ben Zaken, is due to be briefed on the Emirati investigation into the September 30 attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. It will also meet senior officials at Dubai International Airport.
Monday's meetings are expected to cover the possible resumption of flydubai flights to Tel Aviv and the return of Israeli airlines to Dubai. No agreement, restart date or new flight schedule has been announced.
Flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai have remained suspended since the attack. Israeli carriers had planned to return to Dubai in November, but disagreements over airport security arrangements have prevented them from restarting service, according to the reports.
Israeli security officials are reportedly seeking arrangements that would include Israeli security personnel and luggage-screening equipment at the Dubai airport.
The talks follow the attempted hijacking in which a flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe. The captain and passengers helped foil the attack, and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The delegation's visit is a step in the discussions over security and service restoration, not confirmation that flights have resumed or that tickets are available.