Statistics Confirm UAE as Israelis’ Favorite Travel Destination Abroad

Israeli media have revealed, with supporting data, that the UAE has become the top international destination for Israeli travelers, thanks to the growing alliance between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv and the protection UAE authorities provide against international legal action.

According to Mako, a website affiliated with Israel’s Channel 12, Dubai is the most preferred winter destination for Israelis, accounting for over 10% of all outbound flights from Ben Gurion Airport last month.

Other popular destinations include Athens, Rome, Budapest, and New York. With Passover approaching, Israeli airports are expected to experience long queues and increased travel congestion.

Recent statistics show that on Tuesday, Ben Gurion Airport handled around 34,900 travelers, spread across 228 international flights—17,200 departures and 17,700 arrivals. While this is lower than previous days, where passenger numbers exceeded 40,000 daily, it remains a significant travel flow.

Several foreign airlines have resumed operations in Israel in recent weeks, with air traffic expected to rise further ahead of Passover.

Data from the Israeli Airports Authority indicate that in January, around 116,000 Israelis traveled to the UAE, representing more than 10% of all outbound flights from Ben Gurion Airport. However, the statistics do not specify how many remained in Dubai versus those who continued to other destinations.

Besides Dubai, Athens, Paris, Larnaca, and Budapest were also among the top choices for Israeli travelers. Meanwhile, New York ranked ninth, with a 17% drop in passenger numbers compared to January of the previous year, making it the only top 15 destination to record a decline.

The UAE has become a key travel destination for Israelis, including soldiers from the Israeli army, despite war crimes committed in Gaza and Lebanon. The Emirati government continues to welcome them without restrictions.

According to The New York Times, Abu Dhabi hosts the only fully operational Israeli embassy in the Arab world, even as Israel wages its war in Gaza.

Reports suggest that the UAE has maintained an air bridge with Israel during its military operations in Gaza. The low-cost Emirati airline FlyDubai operated eight daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, while Emirates Airlines also increased its flight schedule, adding an extra daily flight from October.

Israeli Channel 12 highlighted that many Israelis prefer traveling to the UAE, citing a “safe and welcoming environment”. The channel quoted tourism executive Oren Cohen, who stated:
“Dubai and Abu Dhabi provide a friendly and secure atmosphere for Israeli visitors.”