Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after Iran strike

On Wednesday, Israel commenced repatriating citizens trapped abroad, initiating a gradual airlift operation following the nation’s unexpected military action against Iran that left many thousands of Israelis stranded internationally.

The initial rescue flight, conducted by national airline El Al landed at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday, returning travelers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Globally, Israel’s transportation ministry estimates that over 50,000 stuck Israelis are attempting to return. El Al has announced that repatriation flights are already planned from Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. Smaller competitors Arkia and Israir (ISRG.TA) are also involved in the initiative.

“We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home,” Transportation Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority.

“We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of ‘Safe Return’. Land safely,” she added.

Tel Aviv’s airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Airports Authority boosted personnel to make certain that arriving travelers left the airport swiftly. They were transported to their parked cars or taken by train and bus to urban centers across the country.

According to a spokesperson for the airports authority, the operation is proceeding in phases, guided by risk assessments and security levels, prioritizing the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft. Family members were urged to refrain from going to airports due to security concerns.

Since Friday, Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles at Israel, with a significant portion aimed at the Tel Aviv region. So far, at least 24 individuals have lost their lives in the attacks.

Currently, no passenger flights are departing from Israel, resulting in approximately 40,000 tourists being trapped in the nation. El Al has called off all planned flights until June 23. Many Israelis trying to return home have gathered in Cyprus, the nearest EU member state to Israel. Flights from Larnaca, the coastal city, to Tel Aviv last 50 minutes.

According to sources from Cypriot airport operator Hermes, nine flights were scheduled to leave Cyprus on Wednesday for Haifa, while four were planned for Tel Aviv, transporting approximately 1,000 individuals.

Cruise company Mano Maritime, with its “Crown Iris” vessel that holds 2,000 passengers, announced it will operate two voyages from Cyprus to Israel’s Mediterranean city of Haifa. On Wednesday morning, a cruise ship docked in Cyprus with 1,500 attendees of a Jewish heritage program who departed from Israel on Tuesday.