Israel is expected to extend restrictions barring its airlines from operating flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through November, citing security concerns, according to Israeli media.

Israel’s internal spy agency, Shin Bet, is expected to maintain the restrictions, which currently bar flag carrier El Al and private airlines Israir and Arkia from operating flights to the UAE, with the carriers still awaiting the required security clearances, Israel’s Keshet 12 television channel reported.

The restrictions are currently in place through October, but Israeli authorities are now projecting that they will remain in effect into November.

Meanwhile, UAE-based carriers Flydubai and Etihad Airways continue to operate flights in both directions.

Israeli airlines have objected to the arrangement, arguing that it puts them at a competitive disadvantage while allowing Emirati carriers to continue operating the same routes.

“The Emiratis are unaffected by the cancellation of Israeli airline flights and are in no rush to sign agreements with Israeli security agencies. Their companies are currently making a lot of money,” Keshet 12 quoted a senior Israeli airline official as saying.

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According to the report, Israeli carriers expect the prolonged restrictions to cost them tens of millions of shekels.

The UAE became the first Persian Gulf Arab country to formally normalize relations with the Israeli regime in August 2020 under the so-called Abraham Accords.

Clandestine relations – including intelligence sharing and direct and indirect flights, between the regime and Abu Dhabi have been going on for decades.