✈️ Flydubai Resumes Flights to Israel Starting Thursday, April 16
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Travel & Aviation
Dubai’s government-owned airline, Flydubai, is set to resume its flights to Israel starting Thursday, April 16, 2026, marking a significant step in the normalization of air travel between the UAE and Israel following the fragile ceasefire that took effect on April 8 .
The resumption comes after a tumultuous period during which the airline was forced to suspend all flights to Israel due to the escalating conflict between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran, which began on February 28 .
A Gradual Return to Normalcy
Flydubai has already taken the lead among Gulf carriers in restoring the route. According to aviation sources, the airline was the first foreign carrier to resume Tel Aviv service immediately after the ceasefire announcement on April 8, initially operating with twice-daily service .
The upcoming flights on April 16 represent a continuation of this phased recovery. The airline is currently operating at roughly 40% of its pre-conflict capacity, with over 100 active routes from Dubai International Airport (DXB) as of mid-April .
What Travelers Can Expect
Flight Schedule: Flydubai will operate direct flights between Dubai International Airport (DXB), Terminal 2, and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv . The flight duration is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours .
Airspace and Security: While UAE airspace is now considered “normal” by authorities, it remains partially open with controlled entry and entry points due to ongoing regional volatility . Enhanced security procedures remain in place at both departure and arrival airports, and travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours before departure .
Booking and Cancellations: Given the fluid nature of the situation, Flydubai is offering affected passengers flexible rebooking options, including free rebooking to a later date, full refunds, or travel credits for future use .
The Road to Recovery
The resumption of flights follows a two-week ceasefire agreement brokered by Pakistan between the US and Iran, which took effect on April 8, 2026. The fragile truce has allowed for the gradual reopening of airspace across the Middle East .
However, the aviation sector remains cautious. The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority had previously issued a NOTAM severely restricting activity in Israeli airspace, and the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) continue to issue warnings about flying in the region .
Other Airlines Following Suit
Flydubai is not alone in its return to Israel. Several other foreign airlines are expected to gradually resume operations to Ben Gurion Airport this week, including:
- Etihad Airways (UAE) is operating a reduced schedule
- Ethiopian Airlines is restarting routes
- Hainan Airlines (China) is expected to resume services
- Wizz Air has announced it will restart flights from Israel on April 25
Emirates, Dubai’s flagship carrier, has not yet confirmed firm plans to resume Tel Aviv flights, though passengers can connect via Flydubai under the airlines’ codeshare agreement .
Regional Challenges Persist
Despite the positive news for the Dubai-Tel Aviv route, travel in the region remains heavily constrained. The one-flight-per-day restriction imposed by Dubai Airports on foreign carriers remains in effect until at least May 31, 2026, though Flydubai and Emirates are exempt from this cap as Dubai’s home carriers .
Additionally, airspace over parts of Kuwait and Iran remains closed or restricted, and some international airlines, including Air France and KLM, have extended their suspensions of Middle East services into May 2026 .
Looking Ahead
The resumption of Flydubai flights to Israel is a critical test of the durability of the US-Iran ceasefire. If the truce holds and regional stability improves, other airlines are expected to follow suit, gradually restoring the vital air link between the UAE and Israel.
For now, passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and maintain flexibility with their travel plans as the situation remains dynamic .