First commercial flight from Israel to UAE follows historic deal

Aug 28, 2020

In the wake of a historic Israeli-UAE deal to normalize relations, the first commercial flight from Israel to Emirates is scheduled to depart Monday, according to an Israel Airports Authority flight timetable. The direct flight will take off from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and arrive in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi.

The flight follows a US-brokered deal between Israel and the UAE earlier this month. 

“This is exactly what peace for peace looks like,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted today.

Currently scheduled to depart at 10 a.m., the plane is to carry an Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat. It will also host top US aides who helped broker this month’s agreement, including White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, national security adviser Robert O’Brien and US Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz. 

A group of Israeli and American reporters are also expected to be on the plane and cover talks between US, Israeli and Emirati officials on Monday and Tuesday.

Israel’s government asked the country’s airlines to submit bids to host the special flight, according to Reuters. El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, beat our smaller rivals, including Israir Airlines.

As part of security for the flight, El Al was required to set up an aircraft with a protection system manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries.

The total flight time is unclear because it is not yet confirmed whether the plane can fly over Saudi Arabia, which has no official ties with Israel. The flight code, numbered LY971, is a nod to UAE’s international calling number. Tuesday’s return flight will be numbered LY972, Israel’s international calling code.

In May, a plane by UAE’s Etihad Airways flew from the UAE to Tel Aviv to deliver coronavirus supplies to Palestinians. Etihad is the UAE’s second-largest carrier behind Emirates. The flight marked the first by a UAE airline to Israel. 

Earlier this month, Israel and UAE signed a historic deal to normalize relations. Under the agreement, Israel agreed to hold off on annexing large portions of the West Bank in return for cooperation with the UAE on trade, tourism, security and other areas of mutual interest. UAE is the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to formally normalize its relationship with Israel.

This month’s deal was met with criticism by a handful of countries in the region, including sharp remarks by Turkey.

“UAE has no authority whatsoever to negotiate with Israel and make concessions on vital issues for Palestine on behalf of the people and leadership of Palestine against their consent,” said a release from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. “The history and the conscience of the people in the region will never forget or forgive this hypocritical act.” 

Israel is one of Turkey’s top trading partners.

Israeli and Emirati officials are expected to discuss issues of opening embassies, direct flights and visas next week. Those talks will set the stage for a signing ceremony at the White House next month.