18,000 shekels for a flight home: Israelis stranded in the East

Thousands of Israelis are stranded in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan after Flydubai canceled flights to Israel following an attempted plane hijacking. Rescue operations focus on Dubai, while Israelis in other destinations are left without solutions. Prices for alternative flights on Israeli airlines reach tens of thousands of shekels, and alternative routes involve grueling and expensive journeys.

About five days after the attempted plane hijacking that ended miraculously, thousands of Israelis remain stranded in Far East vacation destinations—Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan—after Flydubai canceled its flights to Israel. While rescue operations by Israeli airlines primarily provide solutions for those in Dubai, Israelis in onward destinations report great difficulty finding alternatives. Tal, a reserve major, tells Maariv that an intelligence officer she spoke with received a quote of 34,000 shekels for four people on El Al flights, due to the IDF's prohibition on reservists transiting through Arab countries. Alternative flight prices range from $2,000 on Arkia to 18,000 shekels on El Al. Other passengers describe grueling routes via Larnaca, Sofia, and Amman, self-funding flights and accommodation. Flydubai has suspended flights to Israel until at least October 15, and the dispute between the Transportation Ministry and security authorities continues.