Israel blocks Flydubai’s return after attempted hijacking

Flydubai will not resume flights to Israel on October 15 as planned following the suspension of operations after an attempted hijacking. According to a notice sent to travel agents, the airline is extending the suspension through the end of October.

The decision follows Flydubai’s earlier announcement that it had completed its investigation and identified the security lapses that led to the attempted hijacking. The airline also announced the dismissal of a “significant number” of employees, although it did not specify how many were fired or identify their positions beyond saying they worked in security-related roles.

Flydubai flight above Ben Gurion.

(Photo: Getty Images/ Erik Marmor)

Following the investigation, Flydubai asked Israel’s Ministry of Transport for permission to resume flights. However, Transport Minister Miri Regev and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are currently refusing the request.

The refusal stems from the ministry’s position that Flydubai knowingly and flagrantly violated agreements governing international aviation relations. Because Flydubai is partially government-owned, the ministry views the matter as a dispute between states rather than simply a disagreement between a government agency and an airline.

The ministry is therefore withholding approval for the resumption of flights until it receives comprehensive information about the incident. That information is expected to inform new procedures aimed at preventing a similar incident from happening again.