Strikes at Ben Gurion Airport causes UAE flight cancellations

Disruption caused by unplanned industrial action at Ben Gurion International Airport has affected an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv resulting in it returning to the capital.

This disruption is due to protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul, which has caused significant disruption, leading to the suspension of flights at the airport. 

Etihad Airways has cancelled two flights, EY593 from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv and EY594 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, on March 27. 

Initially, Ben Gurion airport had grounded all flights but later reversed the decision. 

In a statement to ARN News, an Etihad Airways spokesperson said "As a result of an unplanned industrial action affecting all aircraft movements at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Etihad flight EY593 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) on 27 March has returned to Abu Dhabi."

The protests against Mr Netanyahu's plan have been ongoing for several weeks, with the country's largest trade union calling a strike over the issue. Etihad Airways is closely monitoring the situation and is looking to provide additional capacity to and from Tel Aviv on March 28. 

"Consequently, Etihad Airways flight EY593 from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tel Aviv (TLV) and EY594 from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on 27 March will be cancelled. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is always Etihad’s highest priority."

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and plan to provide additional capacity to and from Tel Aviv on 28 March."

In addition, Emirates flight EK931 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was cancelled on Monday afternoon, but the airline's website shows that future flights are still scheduled.