Unexpected UAE move against Israel - what happened before the flight

The UAE authorities changed departure conditions for Israeli evacuation flights at the last minute, requiring a separate cargo plane for baggage on each passenger flight. This demand threatened Arkia and Israir flights that had already received permits. Israeli carriers are forced to urgently find cargo aircraft, which is considered unlikely.

The UAE authorities unexpectedly changed departure conditions for Israeli evacuation flights, threatening flights by Arkia and Israir airlines. The new requirement, appearing shortly before the planned departure, mandates that each passenger flight to Ben-Gurion Airport be accompanied by a separate cargo plane designated solely for baggage transport. The cargo plane must arrive before the passenger flight and leave the airport after its departure. If not complied with, passengers may be denied boarding. A source familiar with the situation called the requirement unusual and difficult to fulfill. The likelihood that Arkia and Israir can quickly secure the necessary cargo aircraft is considered low. Additional complexity arises from the discrepancy between the UAE's demands and Israel's original security plan, which assumed passengers would take only a small personal bag into the cabin, with main luggage delivered on a separate flight later. Earlier, El Al canceled its flights from Dubai due to difficulties obtaining permits.