After Attacks: First Repatriation Flights Landed in Tel Aviv

The aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, as reported by the airport authority. The Israeli passengers had been flown from Cyprus to Israel by the Israeli airline El Al.

El Al flies first Israelis home

According to Israel's Transport Minister Miri Regev, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis are stranded abroad. Her ministry stated that all commercial aircraft had been taken abroad to protect them from the conflict with Iran. Approximately 200 Israelis are currently stranded in Austria, said Israel's Consul in Austria, Yaffa Olivitski Cohen, to the daily newspaper "Presse". "It is, of course, quite possible that the numbers will continue to rise. The inquiries with us are increasing by the hour," said the consul.

The repatriation operation will be organized in several phases based on the current security risk, according to the airport's statement. The focus is on the safety of passengers, flight personnel, and aircraft. After the airline El Al suspended its flights last week, it announced "rescue flights" from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. The Israeli low-cost airline Arkia also announced special flights starting Wednesday.

Austrian Airlines continues to suspend flights to the Middle East

Austrian Airlines announced on Wednesday that, in light of the current developments in the Middle East and in coordination with the Lufthansa Group, they will continue to suspend flights to and from Amman and Erbil - now extended until July 11, 2025. Affected passengers can rebook for a later travel date free of charge or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price.

The Israeli army launched a major attack on targets in Iran last Friday. Nuclear facilities and military installations in the country were bombed, and numerous high-ranking military officials were killed. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks and has been attacking Israel with rockets and drones since then. Israel justified its advance with the aim of preventing its arch-enemy Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies such intentions.

(APA/Red)

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