One week into Israel's direct conflict with Iran, Israeli airline El Al announced Friday that it’s offering passengers an alternative sea route back to Israel via a ferry from Cyprus. The option is available at no additional cost for El Al and Sun D’Or customers whose flights to Israel were canceled.
In a statement, the airline said: “Customers with canceled flights can choose this voyage instead of a rescue flight at no extra charge. In addition, a sailing from Israel to Cyprus is open to the general public for €550 ($590) per person, one way.”
Israeli rescue cruise ship docking in Israel
(Video: Transportation Ministry)
The ferry to Israel will depart from Limassol Port in Cyprus on June 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. (local time), and is scheduled to arrive at Ashdod Port the following morning. A separate ferry from Israel to Cyprus will leave Ashdod on June 24 at 1:30 p.m. Each sailing can carry up to 1,500 passengers.
The sea voyage is being offered alongside El Al's ongoing air rescue operations. However, customers who register for the ferry from Cyprus will not be eligible for a rescue flight. All ferry tickets—whether for El Al and Sun D’Or customers or the general public—are non-refundable.
Tens of thousands already returned
While Israel’s Transportation Ministry had estimated it would take weeks to bring back all citizens stranded abroad since the Iranian missile attacks began, the process is moving faster than expected. According to Ynet estimates, over 45,000 Israelis have already returned.
Approximately 23,000 crossed through land borders—mostly via Jordan—another 3,000 arrived by sea and roughly 12,000 flew in on commercial or rescue flights.
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On Friday morning, the first Mano Maritime ship docked in Israel carrying 2,000 passengers from Cyprus. An additional 8,000 Israelis returned “under the radar” via private yachts and catamarans. By Saturday night, around 60,000 Israelis are expected to have made it back.
Despite a formal travel warning from Israel’s National Security Council, Jordan’s King Hussein International Airport has become a key transit hub for returning Israelis. Tour companies are offering charter flights to Aqaba with onward ground transportation directly into Israel—breaking through initial public hesitancy.
Arkia warns of ticket scalping
Israeli airline Arkia issued a public warning Friday over widespread reports of ticket scalping tied to its rescue flights.
“Various individuals are posing as authorized agents, exploiting high demand by purchasing tickets in passengers’ names and reselling them at exorbitant prices—sometimes double or more the original fare,” the airline said.
Arkia urged travelers to purchase tickets only through its official website or certified agents. “We’re working with all relevant authorities to end this exploitation,” the company said.