UAE’s Etihad Airways suspends passenger, cargo services to Tel Aviv

UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has temporarily halted its flight operations to Tel Aviv amid rising conflict and tensions in Israel.

“Etihad Airways has temporarily suspended passenger and cargo services to Tel Aviv in response to the ongoing conflict in Israel. The first flights affected are EY598 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) and flight EY599 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, May 16, which have been cancelled,” an Etihad spokesperson told Gulf Business.

“Guests booked on these services are being assisted with their travel arrangements. Etihad is monitoring the situation in Israel and continues to maintain close contact with authorities and security intelligence providers,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Dubai-based carrier flydubai has confirmed that it has consolidated some of its flights due to demand.

“Flydubai is currently operating up to three daily flights between Dubai International (DXB) and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport International Airport (TLV),” according to a flydubai’s spokesperson.

More than 145 Palestinians in Gaza, including children, and an estimated 10 Israelis have died in the recent fighting, with hundreds of buildings damaged or in ruins. Israel has indicated that its bombardment of Gaza will continue until it determines Hamas’ capabilities have been significantly degraded.

Deputy Assistant US Secretary for Israel-Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr arrived on Friday to talk to both sides as part of international peace efforts. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on the conflict for Sunday morning.

With inputs from Bloomberg