In a historic first the UAE's Etihad began flights to Israel on April 6. News organizations and Israel's head of mission were on the first flight. Flight 598 left after 8 in the morning UAE time from Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi.
Israel's head of mission wrote "I am overwhelmed by emotions while on board the first flight inaugurated by the UAE's Etihad Airways between Abu Dhabi and Israel. This is an additional historical separation in the web of the growing relations between the two countries." There is a code share with El Al for the flights.