Etihad makes first commercial flight between UAE and Israel

Etihad Airways has made a cargo delivery of COVID 19 aid to Tel Aviv with the Israeli Ambassador to the UN saying that he hoped this would be followed by direct commercial passenger trips between the two countries.

“For the first time, Etihad cargo plane just landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion airport! Hopefully soon, we will see passenger flights, too”, said Danny Danon on Twitter. “Having visited, I know the UAE is a fascinating place, and look to continue improving relations between our countries.”

A Boeing 787-9 flew from Abu Dhabi on May 19 to Tel Aviv, carrying supplies destined for Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza areas.

Etihad, a state-owned, long-haul carrier, earlier confirmed the flight Tuesday to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. “Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians,” the airline told The Associated Press. “The flight had no passengers on board.”

“Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians,” Etihad told AP. “The flight had no passengers on board.”

The two countries have never established diplomatic ties since the state of Israel was first founded in 1954. Israeli aircraft are not permitted to cross through Emirati airspace, and all outbound cargo destined for the state must transit through a third country such as Jordan or Egypt.

AP said that Emirati government officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency issued a statement saying Etihad had delivered 16 tons of protective gear, medical items and ventilators “to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in the occupied Palestinian territory.” It did not acknowledge the flight nor its significance.