First Israeli repatriation flight from UAE lands in Tel Aviv after flydubai attack

Tel Aviv: The first flight carrying Israelis home from the United Arab Emirates since flights were suspended following an attack aboard a flydubai service landed in Tel Aviv early on Saturday.

The Arkia-operated flight arrived at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 1am local time, according to the airport authority’s online arrivals list. It was the first Israeli-operated flight to leave the UAE since flydubai suspended its Israel route and El Al cancelled scheduled services to bring stranded Israelis home.

The repatriation flight departed Dubai on Friday and was described by Israeli media as a return flight for Israelis stranded in the UAE.

The move follows Wednesday’s incident aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, in which the Indian captain was allegedly assaulted by his co-pilot.

According to officials, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Authorities in the UAE are investigating the incident and have not yet established the motive behind the attack.

Israeli and US leaders have suggested possible links to Islamist extremism or Iran, although the investigation into the incident is continuing.

The flydubai incident led to the suspension of flights between the UAE and Israel, leaving Israelis in the Emirates waiting for alternative arrangements to return home.