Airlines
Despite Thawing Relations, UAE-Israeli Tourism Likely to Lag
UAE airlines remain quiet about prospective service to Israel.
An Israir Airbus A320 takes off from Berlin Schonefeld Airport in July 2012. Israir remains the only airline to publicize its intention to fly between Israel and the UAE. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Neuwieser)
An Israir Airbus A320 takes off from Berlin Schonefeld Airport in July 2012. Israir remains the only airline to publicize its intention to fly between Israel and the UAE. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by Neuwieser)

While the normalization of ties between the United Arab Emirates and Israel will no doubt boost religious tourism to Jerusalem and increase pilgrim flows from other Muslim countries, UAE-based businesses have reacted cautiously and tourism development will lag behind efforts to improve in economic ties, making immediate progress on pilgrimage travel unlikely.