US EditionIsrael to Begin Bringing Back Citizens Stranded Abroad
- On June 16, 2025, Miri Regev, Israel’s Minister of Transportation, revealed plans for the 'Safe Return' initiative aimed at bringing back approximately 150,000 Israelis stranded overseas due to the shutdown of the nation’s airspace.
- The closure followed escalating conflict between Israel and Iran involving air strikes and missile threats that led to the suspension of international flights since Friday before June 18.
- Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia, and Israir began operating gradual inbound repatriation flights from hubs including Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris, with Arkia also flying from Karpathos and Tivat.
- El Al has suspended its flights until June 23, and shortly after launching an online portal, over 60,000 passengers joined a waiting list to return, while the transportation minister called for patience and urged preparations for accommodation.
- The operation aims to gradually return citizens while the Israeli Airports Authority urged avoiding Ben Gurion arrivals to reduce crowding, indicating a complex logistical effort amid ongoing regional conflict.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Watch as the first flight of Israelis stranded abroad after Iranian strikes lands
The first flight carrying Israeli people who were stranded abroad after Israel and Iran began trading strikes has landed. The plane, which brought home Israelis stuck in Larnaca, Cyprus, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport just outside of Tel Aviv on Wednesday (18 June). Since the Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliatory attacks broke out overnight Friday (13 June), Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded residents are tryi…
Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, who initiated the operation, and other officials welcomed the passengers upon their arrival.
Repatriation flights start for Israelis stranded in Cyprus
NICOSIA (Reuters) -Flights took off for Israel on Wednesday from Cyprus, airport sources and web flight tracking sites showed, ferrying home Israelis stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran. Israel’s airspace has been closed since the two countries began trading attacks on Friday, stranding tens of thousands whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled. Israel announced special flights for the repatriation of its nationals on Tuesday. One flig…
First Israeli rescue flight from Cyprus lands at Ben Gurion Airport
El Al’s first rescue flight lands at Ben Gurion Airport, repatriating Israelis stranded abroad due to war-related flight cancellations as the government and Airports Authority streamlined entry processes
First Flight Returns to Israel as Repatriation Effort Begins Since Iran War
The first flight carrying Israeli citizens back home since international air travel was halted due to the war with Iran has landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport. The flight, operated from Larnaca, Cyprus, is part of a national effort to bring back tens of thousands of Israelis who were stranded abroad after Iranian missile attacks and the ensuing closure of Israeli airspace caused widespread disruption to commercial flights. Israeli airlines—incl…
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