GCAA completes Tel Aviv passenger transfers after flydubai suspension

Thirty-seven flights carried 7,479 stranded passengers to Ben Gurion Airport following the temporary halt to flydubai’s Tel Aviv service.

Staff Writer
Flydubai Boeing 737 passenger jet taking off at sunset in Batumi, Georgia with clear skies.
Image credit: Pexels

Article summary

AI Generated

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority has wrapped up emergency passenger transfers to Tel Aviv following flydubai's temporary suspension of the route. Thirty-seven flights carried 7,479 passengers to Ben Gurion Airport, with Israeli carriers and Etihad Airways stepping in to cover disrupted services.

Key points

  • 37 flights carried 7,479 passengers to Tel Aviv during the disruption
  • Israeli carriers received permits to operate Dubai flights as an alternative
  • Etihad Airways continues its scheduled Tel Aviv service normally

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The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the completion of emergency passenger transfers to Tel Aviv after flydubai temporarily suspended its flights to the destination.

Since Friday, October 2, 2026, 37 flights departed Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport, carrying a total of 7,479 passengers. The operation involved Israeli carriers, which were granted permits to operate flights to Dubai, as well as Etihad Airways, together covering demand left by the flydubai suspension.

The GCAA said coordination for stranded passengers has been completed and that all affected travellers have returned to their destinations. Etihad Airways continues to operate its scheduled Tel Aviv service, maintaining travel options for passengers on that route.

The Authority said it would continue coordinating with relevant bodies and airlines to support uninterrupted air transport and passenger service.