Israel commences the airlift of citizens abroad who found themselves stranded, following Iran's military strikes
In the midst of a tumultuous standoff between Israel and Iran, thousands of Israeli citizens found themselves stranded abroad due to flight cancellations. The first plane of the Operation Safe Return brought these weary travelers back to Israeli soil, having touched down at Ben Gurion Airport from sunny Cyprus on a brisk Wednesday.
According to transport officials, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stranded, as tensions skyrocketed between the two countries. From luxury coastal hubs in Cyprus to bustling city centers in Rome and the spirit-lifted boulevards of Paris, Israeli travelers were eager to return home to their loved ones amidst nightly volleys of Iranian missile fire.
Tel Aviv hotelier Yaakov Bogen, aged 66, expressed his preference to be at home with family despite the constant threat of war, stating, "We may get used to these fights, but we prefer to be here, to support as much as we can."
As it turned out, many fellow Israelis shared Bogen's sentiments. Travellers exited buses at Ben Gurion Airport, having been prompted by the airports authority not to order taxis or gather at the airport gates due to the escalating security situation.
Stylist Tali Gehorsam, a 40-year-old resident of Tel Aviv, felt immense relief upon her return. On June 17th, her flight had unexpectedly been redirected to Cyprus half an hour before landing, leaving her stranded for an extended period of time. "There's no other place," she said with conviction, "To be overseas and to watch the news is not a nice feeling."
Following a week of flight suspensions, Israeli carrier El Al announced plans for rescue flights starting June 18th, with aircraft departing from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and yes, even romantic Paris. Other airlines such as Arkia also joined the effort, providing special flights to help repatriate Israelis stranded in Greece, Cyprus, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and beyond.
These rescue flights were critical, with many Middle Eastern countries shutting down their airspace and a multitude of airports halting operations or imposing severe restrictions. With the assistance of nearby European hubs, Israel was able to bypass the airspace restrictions and bring its citizens home amidst ongoing hostilities.
Despite the industry-wide disruptions caused by the conflict between Israel and Iran, Israeli carrier El Al, along with other airlines such as Arkia, initiated rescue flights to repatriate citizens stranded across Europe. Conflict in the region had led to financial implications for the aviation sector, with many Middle Eastern countries closing their airspace and several airports imposing severe restrictions, but the transportation industry rallied to facilitate safe travel for Israelis.
