New Middle East: FlyDubai Steps Into Turkish Airlines' Shoes in Israel

In 2015, El Al was traditionally the leading airline in passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. Close behind, and ranking as the second most active carrier - surpassing all other Israeli and foreign airlines except El Al - was Turkish Airlines.

That year, Turkish Airlines transported 823,000 passengers between Israel and its destinations in Istanbul and Antalya, contributing to an astonishing 2.32 million travelers flying between Israel and Turkey.

For many, Turkey served primarily as a transit hub, connecting Israeli passengers to Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network.

A decade later, it’s hard to grasp the scale of change.

Turkish Airlines, once a dominant force in Israeli skies, has completely withdrawn from the country following the outbreak of war - and a return seems unlikely in the foreseeable future.

Turkish Airlines. Photo: shutterstock

But Israel is not left in despair. The huge gap left by Turkish Airlines has been filled by Israel’s new best friend, which miraculously arrived just in time with the Abraham Accords.

Although Emirates canceled its flights to Israel at the beginning of the war in October 2023 and will likely not resume them until next year, there is no other way to express it than that the company essentially sends us as a substitute, for flights to Dubai and beyond, its little sister FlyDubai.

Photo: Flydubai

From the onset of the war, the company, represented in Israel by 'Open Sky', insisted on filling in for Emirates with an increasing number of flights.

After we were amazed that the number of flights reached up to 8, tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the company that was the first to return to Israel after the war with Iran announced it would increase to 10 daily flights to meet high demand.

Better Than Istanbul

The truth is, a connection through Dubai is no less efficient than what the former company offered us from Istanbul. Due to Israel's excellent routine connection to the West, the greater need is for a strong hub for flights to the East, and in this respect, Dubai's location is even better than Istanbul's.

The network of Emirates, with continuing options for all who fly with FlyDubai to book from Israel to their final destination, is no less impressive than that of Turkish Airlines. There is no need to elaborate on Emirates' award-winning aviation product, renowned worldwide.

Photo: PassportNews

It's hard to put into words the immense support, notably from airlines from the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf. Such collaboration was unimaginable, even in the most optimistic aviation dreams of Israel, especially during a Middle Eastern war.

Incidentally, it should be noted that the competitors of Emirates and FlyDubai, the national airline of the Emirates, Etihad, are also keen on maintaining their routes during the war. What’s more, several times after having to cancel flights, Etihad sent its giant Boeing 777-300 to Israel to meet demand.

Etihad at Ben Gurion

The cynics might say 'it's all business' in the end. The routes to Israel are profitable, as a 'nation of islands', Israelis fly in huge numbers compared to citizens of Europe and other continents.

But here, allow us to return to the remarkable quote from Etihad CEO, Antonealdo Neves, who said at the start of the war "We will continue flying to Israel as long as it's safe, not just for profit. And when we return to normalcy, I am sure everyone will remember that Etihad is not a company driven solely by profit. We are committed to providing air transportation both in profit and loss."

Will They Return?

Also worth acknowledging, despite not slamming the door shut but only forgiving their slots for the season, is whether Turkish Airlines will return to Ben Gurion Airport soon.

Of course, there are many political elements here, but if we return to the notion that 'it's all business', we wouldn't be surprised if rapprochement between countries occurs via aviation.

Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

Israelis, as we know, have a short memory, especially when prices are competitive. Will Israelis fly again with Turkish and connect through Istanbul the day the company returns to the country? No doubt, yes.

But will they forget who stood by our side from October 7 and the commitment to aviation to and from Israel? Absolutely not. Israel's connection, physical and mental, with FlyDubai and its big sister Emirates, is stronger than ever and will remain so, we predict and hope, long after the much-desired calm arrives.