Israeli Transportation Ministry Projects Completion of Massive UAE Repatriation Effort Following Major Regional Conflict

Transportation Minister Miri Regev confirms the final phase of rescue flights for Israelis in the UAE as regional security concerns persist after Iran strikes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 11:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Final Phase of Emergency Airlift From the Emirates

The Israeli government has established a definitive timeline for the conclusion of its urgent repatriation mission in the United Arab Emirates, with operations slated to end Saturday night. Transportation Minister Miri Regev confirmed that the window for rescue flights is narrowing, provided the volatile security situation remains stable. This logistical push is the culmination of an intensive week-long effort to extract citizens who found themselves immobilized in major transit hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi following the outbreak of large-scale hostilities.

Statistical Progress and Remaining Citizens Abroad

Data released by the Israel Airports Authority indicates a significant influx of returnees, with 1,790 individuals processed at Ben Gurion Airport today alone. An additional 320 passengers are expected to touch down tonight, leaving approximately 1,150 Israelis still awaiting transit in the UAE. These figures underscore the massive scale of the displacement caused by the regional conflict, which effectively paralyzed international travel for thousands of vacationers and business travelers overnight.

Strategic Travel Warnings and National Security Directives

During a press conference in Lod, Minister Regev issued a stern directive to citizens to avoid all travel to or through the Emirates for the foreseeable future. This warning aligns with high-level alerts from the National Security Council, highlighting the persistent risks within the regional airspace. The government is emphasizing that the current repatriation window is a reactive measure to a crisis, not a signal that regular travel routes have returned to a state of normalcy or safety.