El Al Cancels Dubai Repatriation Flights October 2 After UAE Revokes Landing Approval, Stranding 10,000 Israelis

Israel's flagship carrier El Al announced on October 2, 2026, that its repatriation flights to bring home Israelis stranded in Dubai have been canceled after the United Arab Emirates withdrew landing permissions for Israeli carriers, according to The Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, and multiple outlets. The airline stated that flights scheduled for Friday October 2 were canceled at this stage, while flights next week remain scheduled but are fully booked. According to Channel 12 cited by The Times of Israel, the cancellation followed extended discussions between Israeli and Emirati officials that failed to yield final agreements.

The flights were intended to bring home Israelis stranded after flydubai suspended service to Israel following a September 30 cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. More than 10,000 Israelis are estimated to be stranded in Dubai and other destinations from which they were expected to return via the UAE, according to the Jerusalem Post. Overnight reports indicated the UAE had revoked its clearance, though Israel's Transportation Ministry initially stated delays were anticipated but the flights would proceed. A separate carrier, Israir, received approval for a rescue flight, N12 reported.

The sudden reversal exposes the fragility of the normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE amid regional tensions over the ongoing 2026 Iran war and Israel's continued operations in Gaza and Lebanon despite ceasefire agreements. UAE decisions on Israeli airline access are discretionary and can be influenced by regional political dynamics, leaving thousands of travelers with limited immediate options and creating potential diplomatic friction between the two countries.

Sources

The Times of Israel, "El Al says repatriation flights today canceled, due to UAE pulling approval," October 2, 2026, timesofisrael.com Jerusalem Post, "El Al forced to cancel first rescue flights to Dubai after authorities revoke landing permissions," October 2, 2026, jpost.com The Tribune India (ANI), "Israeli airline El Al cancels Dubai repatriation flights after UAE pulls landing approval," October 2, 2026, tribuneindia.com Newsbytes, "10,000 Israelis stranded in Dubai after airline cancels evacuation flights," October 2, 2026, newsbytesapp.com