Israeli airlines are scheduled to start flying to Dubai tomorrow - but there is still no permit to fly over Saudi Arabia, the only route from Israel to the Emirates
Israir is scheduled to operate its first flight to Dubai
Photography:
Moshe Shai
Last Thursday, the first scheduled flight took off between Tel Aviv and Dubai, the flight was from the United Arab Emirates flydubai company and it passed through the skies of Saudi Arabia on the way to the Emirates.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10 a.m., the first Israeli flight to Dubai, an Israir flight, is scheduled to take off, but the company, like the other Israeli companies, encounters an obstacle on the way to history.
Saudi Arabia has not yet allowed Israeli companies to fly over its territory.
This means that in such a situation, Israeli airlines will not be able to fly to the UAE since the only access to it is via Saudi Arabia.
Israir's first flight, which is due to take off solemnly, is currently in uncertainty.
Sources in the aviation industry and among government decision-makers believe that the matter will be resolved today and that Israeli planes will be able to take off and fly over Saudi Arabia.
However, this is a kind of drama in the aviation industry as about 160 passengers are in uncertainty ahead of the debut flight of an Israeli company that is scheduled to depart tomorrow for Dubai.
Arkia and El Al are due to join operations on the line in the coming days and are also dependent on permits to fly over Saudi Arabia.
About 50,000 Israelis are expected to visit the Emirates next month, but until the announcement that will allow airlines to fly over Saudi Arabia, the situation is unclear.
Israir said: "As reported in the media, we are experiencing specific difficulties in approving flights over Saudi Arabia on the way to Dubai. The incident is being handled with care by the most senior government officials. We are optimistic about the end of the crisis and recommend that you follow the updates."
The Ministry of Transportation did not respond