While it seems like there are a lot of hurdles to overcome, it’s interesting to see the government even proposing this…
In this post:
Emirates asked to operate seventh freedom Israel flights
Israel’s N12 publication is reporting that Israel’s Ministry of Transportation has met with senior officials from Emirates, and has made a surprising request. Specifically, the country is proposing that Emirates launches seventh freedom flights from Tel Aviv (TLV) to both New York (JFK) and Bangkok (BKK), and possibly other destinations.
This would allow Emirates to transport passenger exclusively between Israel and the United States and Thailand. I’ve written a lot about fifth freedom flights, whereby airlines operate to another country via a third country. But this is even a seventh freedom proposal, so it wouldn’t even have to be in conjunction with a flight to or from Dubai (DXB).
Before October 7, 2023, Emirates was operating a massive schedule between Dubai and Tel Aviv, as relations between the two countries have warmed up in recent years. However, the airline hasn’t flown to Israel since then, so it has been over two years. Apparently this move is part of a larger deal in hopes of getting Emirates to finally return to Israel.
There’s one major catch, though — aviation laws in Israel would need to be changed for this to happen. While the proposal has the support by the country’s Ministry of Transportation, you can expect that competing airlines in Israel will of course petition to block this.
This would be good for consumers, but seems unlikely
Israel obviously really wants Emirates to resume service to the country. The Israeli government has historically taking a pretty protectionist approach to its airlines, so it’s wild to see the country inviting Emirates to set up seventh freedom flights out of the airport, as that’s truly unprecedented.
Emirates already has several fifth freedom flights that touch the United States, including New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP), Newark (EWR) to Athens (ATH), and Miami (MIA) to Bogota (BOG). However, this would potentially even be a step further.
In theory, I imagine Emirates is open to new fifth freedom opportunities. And suffice it to say that both US and Israeli airlines would hate to see Emirates launching service in these markets, given what it means for competition.
However, on both sides, this strikes me as a real uphill battle:
- Israel needs to actually change its laws to allow this, and I imagine the local airlines will be very vocal with their opposition
- From an overall regional optics and political standpoint, I question if Emirates finds this to be worthwhile any time in the near future
Anyway, this is definitely something worth keeping an eye on, and I’m curious to see what comes of this, if anything!
Bottom line
The Israeli government is inviting Emirates to set up a base in Tel Aviv, and fly to New York and Bangkok. This seems to be part of an overall larger negotiation, in hopes of getting Emirates to resume its service between Dubai and Tel Aviv, which has been suspended for well over two years now.
Emirates is always looking for interesting fifth freedom opportunities, and this is an unexpected one that wasn’t on my radar. However, there are lots of hurdles here, not the least of which is that laws have to be changed in Israel for this to be allowed.
What do you make of the prospect of Emirates operating seventh freedom flights out of Tel Aviv?
Give peace a chance.
Maybe a compromise with LY & the local gang would be for EK to only provide service on Shabat & select holidays ! ... lol
LY has a hard time logistically dealing with a 24 hour shutdown every week. Imagine an airline base operating one day per week, lol.
How strong is local and industry opposition in Israel against ministerial actions, though? In some countries it can be strong, but in some, it can be negligible.
@Ben -- Have you thought about writing an article about the "freedoms". I know what fifth is and now seventh. But what about 1-4 and 6. Yes I could google it, but I would love your take on them.
1st = overflight rights
2nd = fuel stop or maintenance stop rights, but no pax (dis)embarkation.
3rd = fly pax from your country to another
4th = fly pax from another country to yours
6th = fly pax from one point in country-X to another point in country-X, via your own country (example: NYC to L.A., connecting in Toronto)
8th = domestic cabotage, but only after arriving directly from your country (e.g. SYD-LAX-PHX, with...
1st = overflight rights
2nd = fuel stop or maintenance stop rights, but no pax (dis)embarkation.
3rd = fly pax from your country to another
4th = fly pax from another country to yours
6th = fly pax from one point in country-X to another point in country-X, via your own country (example: NYC to L.A., connecting in Toronto)
8th = domestic cabotage, but only after arriving directly from your country (e.g. SYD-LAX-PHX, with domestic rights on the LAX-PHX run).
9th = pure domestic cabotage.
Homer Simpson: “Mmm… cabotage…” *dreams of eating cabbages*
This is the most spiritually Israeli thing I have ever heard of. All they need to make the experience complete is complementary Labubus and Dubai Chocolate
The UAE has been getting closer and closer to Israel and the First World in general since the beginning of the 2020s. They recently left the OPEC, which doesn't always do what the First World wants them to do.
Of course the public opinion doesn't necessarily align with the governmental stance, and I've seen many who sees this negatively, but for a country like the UAE that wouldn't be a major concern over their...
The UAE has been getting closer and closer to Israel and the First World in general since the beginning of the 2020s. They recently left the OPEC, which doesn't always do what the First World wants them to do.
Of course the public opinion doesn't necessarily align with the governmental stance, and I've seen many who sees this negatively, but for a country like the UAE that wouldn't be a major concern over their goals.
That being said, Emirates flying seventh freedom flights out of Israel would still be difficult.
Do you have any idea of what "The First World" even signifies?
Ask him who Frantz Fanon was. He'll probably say that he recently got his third Michelin star.
Ask him who Frantz Fanon was. He'll probably say that he recently got his third Michelin star.
@ORD, what does he have to do with anything in this article or comment?
@ImmortalSynn, yes, worry not, I am very aware. Why don't you start with stating the part of my comment that made you mad?
Emirates LIVES for branding.
This has the potential to significantly impact their brand association, for quite some time to come. Hope they think long and hard about the implications and ramifications of doing this, beyond any short term incentives (assuming they get the go-ahead, or are even interested in doing so themselves).
Wouldn't ek still need permission from the US government? I guess Scott Kirby is about to call in his favor from trump
Very cool, but what does emirates get out of this? Is this just to compete on the lucrative JFK-TLV route? Is it to get in on the popular TLV-BKK route? Both are well-served by El Al, and I can’t see Israel wanting Emirates to go head to head with their flag carrier.
Turkish Airlines withdrawal from Israel was a big mistake. I know politics and war. TK carried significant number of passengers, many high yielding. Israeli’s were very comfortable flying TK and they brought in lots of tourists from U.S.
*deep breathing*