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

DUBAI, Nov.28 (Reuters) – Dubai airline Emirates postponed the launch of flights to Tel Aviv until further notice on Dec. 6, a spokesperson for the company said on Sunday, after Israel announced. that it would ban foreigners from entering to fight the latest variant of the coronavirus.

“The postponement is the result of recent changes in entry protocols issued by the Israeli government. The airline is committed to launching services to Tel Aviv as soon as the situation permits, ”the spokesperson said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet said on Saturday the country will ban all foreigners from entering for 14 days pending more information on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant first detected in South Africa. Read more

Emirates was slated to be the United Arab Emirates’ third airline, after flydubai and Etihad Airways, to launch direct flights to Tel Aviv since the two countries established diplomatic ties last year.

Reporting by Alexander Cornwell Editing by David Goodman

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