Israel's national airline cancels Dubai rescue flights after landing approval revoked

JERUSALEM, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's flag carrier El Al said in a statement on Friday that it had canceled two planned rescue flights to Dubai intended to bring home Israelis stranded in the city and elsewhere in Asia.

The cancellation came after Israeli authorities informed the airline that landing approval for Israeli carriers in Dubai had been revoked, El Al's statement said.

"We are ready to operate the special flights to Dubai and return Israelis home as soon as possible, subject to approval from the relevant authorities," the statement said.

El Al announced the rescue flight operation on Thursday after Emirati airline Flydubai suspended flights pending an investigation into an incident aboard flight FZ 1073 on Wednesday.

On Thursday evening, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he had ordered funding for the rescue flights, and the Transport Ministry said they would begin on Friday, with possible delays due to preparations.

The flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation between the pilots, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported, citing Israeli officials.

The incident occurred when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit during the flight, causing the aircraft to plunge suddenly. Other crew members and passengers overpowered the attacker, allowing the crew to regain control.