El Al Cancels Dubai Rescue Flight Following UAE Denial of Landing Permission

16 Ashoj, Tel Aviv (RASS/ANI) – Following the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s refusal to allow an Israeli plane to land in Dubai, Israel’s leading airline El Al has canceled its rescue flight scheduled for Friday to bring Israeli citizens stranded in Dubai back home. El Al announced the cancellation of flights LY 974-1 and LY 972. However, the flights scheduled for next week remain on their timetable and have been fully booked, the company confirmed.

Despite extended discussions between Israeli and Emirati officials, final permission for the plane’s landing could not be secured. The cancellations came in the wake of a serious security incident on September 30 involving a Fly Dubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. In that incident, the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the plane’s commander and attempted to bring the aircraft down.

Although captain Smith Machar sustained serious injuries, he managed to resist the assailant. With the assistance of the crew and passengers, the attacker was subdued, and control of the aircraft was restored. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, ensuring the safety of 180 passengers on board. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the plane was near Israeli airspace when the incident occurred. He also confirmed that Captain Machar successfully neutralized the co-pilot, and two off-duty flight personnel took control of the aircraft.

An Omani official verified that the co-pilot was born in Oman and holds Omani citizenship. Netanyahu asserted that investigations confirmed the co-pilot was influenced by Islamist extremist ideology. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned he had heard that the co-pilot might have connections to Tehran, though Netanyahu clarified that more time is required to reach a conclusion regarding Iranian involvement. Israeli authorities are continuing their investigation into the episode. Meanwhile, India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, confirmed that Captain Machar’s condition is stable and that he is receiving treatment in a UAE hospital. Ambassador Mittal praised Captain Machar’s bravery and emphasized his crucial role in saving hundreds of lives.