Emirates preps Kosher-meal venture with Israelis set to arrive

Emirates’ catering unit plans to start producing kosher food in the United Arab Emirates to meet growing demand in the Gulf nation after the recent diplomatic breakthrough with Israel.

The production facility, called Kosher Arabia, will be a partnership between Emirates Flight Catering and CCL Holdings, a company founded by the head of the Jewish Council in the UAE. Operations are expected to start in January, according to a statement released by the airline on Thursday.

The move follows the signing of landmark agreements by the UAE and Bahrain this week to start normalizing relations with Israel, setting in motion a potentially historic shift in Middle East politics. DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, plans to make a joint bid for Israel’s Haifa Port, and the biggest banks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already signed cooperation pacts with their Israeli counterparts.

While Emirates hasn’t yet announced the start of commercial flights between Israel and the UAE, an El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. plane became the first to cross between the two countries last month. Etihad Airways has operated cargo flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv to transport medical supplies to the Palestinian Territories.

Take up of kosher food in the UAE and the wider region is expected to grow quickly, according to Emirates Flight Catering Chief Executive Officer Saeed Mohammed. “Our partnership will cover all food channels and we will also explore opening restaurants across Dubai and the Gulf Cooperation Council.”

Al Habtoor Group LLC of the United Arab Emirates recently said that it will introduce kosher food and beverage options in its hotels.