Israel has extended the ban on flights to Dubai until the end of October, as many international airlines continue to suspend operations or reduce service to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the security situation in the Middle East.
The extension comes amid concerns over escalation between Iran and the US, which continues to affect aviation activity in the Middle East.
While Israeli airlines still cannot operate direct flights to Dubai, local carriers such as flydubai and Etihad continue to operate most of their flight routes. However, they are also advising passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport, as route changes and congestion may cause delays.
Foreign airlines avoid multiple Middle Eastern countries
Israeli airlines are not the only carriers still waiting to return to normal operations. Many international airlines have extended the suspension of flights to the UAE, including Lufthansa, British Airways and Cathay Pacific.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continues to recommend that airlines avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon until at least the end of August. Although there is currently no recommendation to avoid flying over the UAE itself, many airlines continue to conduct independent risk assessments and route around certain areas, which extends flight times and sometimes leads to delays in both direct and connecting flights.
Passengers planning to fly to Dubai or travel through it in the near future are advised to follow airline updates even after completing check-in, to confirm the status of any connecting flights and to arrive at the airport earlier than usual.
Aviation industry officials stress that schedules may still change at short notice depending on security developments in the region.
