Emirates postpones flights to Tel Aviv after Israel bans foreigners

Emirates Airliners are seen on the tarmac in a general view of Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates January 13, 2021. Picture taken through a window. REUTERS Abdel Hadi Ramahi File Photo

DUBAI, Nov 28, Reuters - Dubai airline Emirates has postponed the Dec. 6 launch of flights to Tel Aviv until further notice, a company spokeswoman said on Sunday after Israel announced it would ban foreigners from entering into the latest coronaviruses variant.

The Israeli government has recently changed entry protocols, which resulted in the postponement. The airline is committed to launching services to Tel Aviv as soon as possible, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Israel's prime minister Naftali Bennet said the country would ban foreigners from entering for 14 days as it waits for more information on how effective COVID 19 vaccines are against the Omicron variant first detected in South Africa. Emirates was set to be the third United Arab Emirates airline after flydubai and Etihad Airways to start direct flights to Tel Aviv since the two countries established diplomatic relations last year.