The first repatriation flights to Tel Aviv, for Israelis stranded abroad, has begun.
This morning, the first repatriation flights landed in Israel from nearby Cyprus, beginning the mission to bring Israelis home. Israeli airspace was closed for arrivals and departures after the Israel Defense Forces launched a surprise attack on Iran early Friday.
“All El Al crews and the company’s aircraft fleet are awaiting instructions from the relevant authorities in order to continue operating more flights as soon as possible,” El Al says.
El Al says it plans to operate a total of eight repatriation flights to bring back Israelis from Cyprus, Budapest, Athens, Milan, Rome, and London’s Luton airport tomorrow.
Amid the chaos, up to an estimated 150,000 Israelis have been effectively locked out of the Jewish State as its airspace was shut down.
The flights will be operated gradually, subject to government approval, El Al says. Seat assignment is carried out according to the date of the original canceled flight and exceptional medical humanitarian cases.
