The extraordinary move the government is expected to approve following the terror flight from Dubai

The government is expected to approve up to nine million shekels in participation in the expenses of Israeli airlines that will operate flights from Dubai to Israel, following the suspension of Flydubai flights. The state will fund the cost of empty flights departing to Dubai, aiming to bring back thousands of Israelis stranded in the Emirates and reduce losses for the airlines.

The government is expected to approve today (Tuesday) participation of up to nine million shekels in the expenses of Israeli airlines that will operate flights from Dubai to Israel. The move is intended to bring back thousands of Israelis stranded in the Emirates following the suspension of Flydubai flights. According to the proposed decision, the state will participate in the costs of flights departing from Israel to Dubai when they are empty of passengers, due to security agencies' instructions, in order to allow Israeli companies to carry out the return flights without bearing the economic losses alone. The mechanism will be activated in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority's guidelines and subject to conditions to be determined. The decision aims to address the needs of thousands of Israelis affected by the cessation of regular Flydubai flights. The document states that the airline normally operates about ten flights a day between Dubai and Israel, and after its suspension, there is a need for alternative flights to return passengers. A budget of up to nine million shekels will be allocated for this move: 5.5 million shekels from an existing government budget and another 3.5 million shekels from the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety budget. The document notes that the participation will be limited to the cost of empty flight segments and will not cover full operating costs.