UAE Airlines Decline Flights to Israel Amid Tensions: "We Approved Companies from the Emirates to Fly to Israel, They Chose Not To"

Did airlines from the United Arab Emirates refuse to fly to Israel despite the Minister of Transport's request? At least that's what Miri Regev claimed at a press conference she held last night (March 12, 2026).

During the press conference, Regev said: "We approved companies from the Emirates to fly to Israel, they chose for their own reasons not to do so."

Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Last Friday, the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety issued this statement: "Following efforts to repatriate Israeli citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to security developments in the region, the airline flyDubai is expected to operate an air train to Israel and land at Ben Gurion Airport."

It was also stated that "the move comes after pressure exerted by the Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Miri Regev, and in coordination with security officials. According to estimates, the flights will be operated in a special format with the aim of returning to Israel Israeli citizens who remained in the Emirates following the disruptions in flights and the security situation in the region."

However, according to PassportNews' investigation, no notification regarding the matter was ever received from the airline, nor was any confirmation of the activity in question.