Israel’s Air Support in Gaza: The UAE’s Silent Partnership
Although the UAE has participated in international meetings and issued statements urging Israel to halt its actions in Gaza, it has become a vital air support hub for the occupying state, especially as many countries have suspended their air links to Tel Aviv.
According to recent statistics, the UAE has emerged as an essential air support station for both passenger and cargo flights to and from Israel, as revealed by an investigation from the UK-based “Tafnid for Fact-Checking and Data Journalism.”
Air traffic analysis between the UAE and Israel shows a consistent level of activity even amidst the ongoing conflict. In 2022, approximately 5,551 flights were conducted between the two nations, with 2,689 departures from the UAE and 2,862 from Israel. In 2023, this number slightly decreased to 4,892 flights, with 2,456 from the UAE and 2,436 from Israel.
In contrast to other Arab countries, flight activity continued into 2024, despite the ongoing war. By the end of November 2024, 4,793 flights had taken place between the two countries, with 2,293 flights departing from the UAE and 2,500 from Israel, all originating from Ben Gurion Airport.
Although the stable flow of passenger flights was notable, the more significant point in the analysis was that, despite the conflict, Israeli airlines had reduced flights to the UAE, while UAE airlines had increased their flights.
The analysis revealed that five airlines dominate the route between the two countries: three Israeli carriers—Arkia Israeli Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, and Israir Airlines—and two UAE-based carriers: flydubai and Etihad Airways. flydubai, in particular, has taken the largest share of flights, especially following the outbreak of war.
The UAE as a Cargo Route for Israel
Flight records also showed that the UAE has not only facilitated a direct air supply line for Israel but has also secured a significant portion of the international air cargo market for goods related to Israel, with this role growing substantially since the war began.
The investigation followed the operations of the “Challenge Group,” an Israeli-owned international air cargo company founded in 1976 and based at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The company also operates additional branches in Belgium (Challenge Airlines BE) and Malta (Challenge Airlines MT).
Decline in Direct Flights Between Hong Kong and Israel Leads to UAE as Key Transit Hub
Statistics revealed that in 2023, direct flights between Hong Kong and Israel amounted to roughly 290. However, during the war in 2024, these direct flights fell to just 170. In response, the company activated its Malta branch to establish alternative routes, making the UAE an intermediate stopover.
For instance, direct flights operated by the Israeli airline Challenge Airlines IL between Hong Kong and Israel used Boeing 747-412F aircraft. On the other hand, Challenge Airlines MT used smaller Boeing 767-333ERSF aircraft, with a layover in Dubai. The route between Hong Kong and Israel via Dubai took around 12 hours and 13 minutes, and this detour was utilized 79 times between January 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024.
This shift has solidified the UAE’s position as a vital air support hub for Israel, especially amidst the intensification of the Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon.
