El Al, Arkia and Israir are preparing to operate special rescue flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv beginning Friday, subject to approval from the Shin Bet and the Transportation Ministry’s security division.

The flights will bring home Israelis stranded following the incident aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel. More than 10,000 Israelis are reportedly stuck in Dubai or in other destinations from which they had planned to return through Dubai.

Tickets are priced at $249. Under security restrictions, passengers will not be permitted to check luggage, with only limited cabin baggage allowed.

The Israeli airlines’ aircraft will fly to the United Arab Emirates without passengers before collecting travelers for the return flights to Israel. Registration will be available through the airlines’ websites.

Two El Al flights reportedly filled immediately after booking opened. The operation marks the airline’s first special rescue flight program from Dubai in eight months.

The flights follow efforts to reach an agreement on additional security arrangements at the airport. Israel had previously sought to send screening equipment to the UAE on the Shin Bet’s recommendation, but Emirati authorities rejected the proposal.

Following the Flydubai incident, the Emiratis are reportedly prepared to allow Shin Bet representatives to come to the airport to oversee passenger security procedures.

Once the required approvals are received, El Al said flights will be available for booking through its website and travel agents. The airline said it would continue working to expand its flight schedule and help as many Israelis as possible return home safely.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)