Last week, the Transportation Ministry announced that outbound flights would resume from Ben Gurion Airport on Monday. On Sunday morning, Israel’s airspace was closed for about eight hours due to the escalation on the Iranian front, but it now appears that the planned flight framework will proceed as scheduled. The main restriction: only 50 passengers are allowed per flight. Most tickets for outbound flights from Israel in June have already been sold.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Sunday evening that 84,000 Israelis were still stranded abroad, after approximately 65,000 had already returned to Israel under the Operation Safe Return launched last week following the escalation with Iran.
On Thursday, Regev said that her ministry had agreed with the airlines to allocate around 15% of flight seats for humanitarian cases, based on predetermined criteria. The remaining seats will be divided between stranded tourists in Israel, diplomats and Israeli passengers. The exact allocation process among these groups remains unclear.
Arkia Airlines announced Sunday afternoon that, “In accordance with the guidelines and approvals received from the relevant authorities, Arkia will resume its approved framework—combining rescue flights with outbound flights from Israel. Arkia flights scheduled to depart Monday include: Athens, Rome (two flights), Larnaca, Vienna and Barcelona. Three of these flights were postponed from today, and two additional ones were added based on the new framework. All tickets for Monday’s flights are sold out.”
Arkia added that, “According to the approved plan, priority will be given to rescue flights for Israelis currently abroad. Therefore, passengers purchasing outbound tickets from Israel must ensure their return date is at least 21 days after departure. It is the passenger’s responsibility to verify this. Arkia is not responsible if a passenger cannot return to Israel within the required timeframe.”
El Al will initially operate flights to eight major destinations:
- Europe: Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Paris and London
- The U.S.: New York and Los Angeles
- Far East: Bangkok
“Passengers are asked to fill out a dedicated form on the company website, including the destination they wish to fly to," El Al said in a statement. "At this stage, it’s only for registration, and customers will be contacted by email.”
Israir will operate flights to Athens, Larnaca, Tbilisi, Budapest and Rome. Air Haifa is preparing flights to Athens and Larnaca, but the company has not yet received approval to operate outbound flights from Haifa Airport.
Meanwhile, the air bridge flying Israelis to Aqaba in Jordan and Taba in Egypt is intensifying, despite a warning from the National Security Council advising against returning to Israel through these locations.
TUS Airways, part of the Holiday Lines group, announced it will operate a flight on Tuesday from Rome via Larnaca and then to Aqaba. The ticket includes airport escort fees in Aqaba up to the border crossing and direct bus transportation to central Tel Aviv.
The Rome flight joins others this week from Larnaca and Athens to Aqaba. Sample prices:
Rome–Larnaca: €249
Larnaca–Aqaba: €449
On Monday, a flight from Dubrovnik to Aqaba will depart at 9:30 p.m., operated by Electra Airlines (flight 2328). This flight is already full. On Tuesday, a flight from Athens to Aqaba will depart at 9:55 p.m. (Electra, flight 2702). Price: $769 per passenger.
Details of the route: Direct flight to Aqaba Airport, immediate transfer in escorted buses from the airport to the Israeli border and continued transfer to Tel Aviv’s Arlozorov terminal upon entry into Israel.
The Flying Carpet travel company will operate flights using the land crossings at Aqaba and Taba, for both returnees and outbound travelers. Tickets include bus transportation through the land border.
Updated flight schedule:
Larnaca to Israel via Taba:
June 23 | 09:00 | Price: $629
Larnaca to Israel via Aqaba:
June 24 | 08:00
June 25 | 08:00
June 26 | 07:20, 12:40
Price: $679
Athens to Israel via Aqaba:
June 25 | 10:00
Athens to Israel via Taba:
June 24 | 03:50, 11:30
Price: $799
Outbound from Israel to Larnaca (via Aqaba):
June 26 | 15:10 | Price: $369
Flights include: Pre-approved transit visa and border fee (for outbound flights from Israel, passengers must bring their own exit fee), transport to and from the border crossing to the airport and baggage allowance: one checked suitcase (44 lbs.) and one carry-on (15 lbs.) per passenger.
Issta, in cooperation with Israir, will operate two special rescue flights on Monday from Budapest and Larnaca to Taba Airport in Egypt—just a 20-minute drive from the Eilat border crossing. The flights will be operated by Fly Yo and coordinated with relevant authorities. Tickets can be purchased via Issta, subject to availability.
Passengers are advised to check the Foreign Ministry’s guidelines and travel warnings before deciding to travel to Taba.
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Kishrey Teufa, a one-stop-shop Israeli travel company, will operate dedicated rescue flights from Athens to Taba—transit only, with no stay at the destination.
Departure times:
Tuesday, June 24: 03:50 and 11:30
The package includes: flight from Athens to Taba, pre-approved transit visa and border fee, transportation from Taba Airport to the Israeli border, and from there to the long-term parking lot at Ben Gurion Airport. Baggage: one suitcase and one carry-on per passenger.
Price: $780
To all those vying to witness the marvel of the pyramids: A travel warning is in effect for Egypt. These are strictly transit flights, on a short and coordinated route, for immediate return to Israel.