Latest news with #Israir
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after strike on Iran
People take shelter in an underground metro station in Ramat Gan as a precaution against potential missile attacks from Iran. (AP pic) TEL AVIV : Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. 'We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home,' Transportation minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. 'We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely,' she added. Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure the arriving passengers exited the airport quickly. They were shuttled to their parked vehicles or transported via train and bus to city centres nationwide. The operation is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and security assessments, with an emphasis on the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft, a spokesperson for the airports authority said. Relatives were advised to avoid travelling to airports for security reasons. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose 'Crown Iris' ship carries 2,000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel begins repatriating citizens stranded abroad
Israel has launched an airlift to bring home citizens left stranded overseas following its surprise military strike on Iran. The operation began on Wednesday, with the first repatriation flight landing at Ben Gurion Airport from Larnaca, Cyprus, marking the start of a phased return plan. According to Israel's transport ministry, more than 50,000 nationals are currently waiting to return. National airline El Al is leading the effort, with additional flights scheduled from cities including Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Private carriers Arkia and Israir are also contributing to the repatriation mission. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport has remained shut to outbound and inbound passenger flights since the Israeli attack was launched last Friday on Iran.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Israel launches airlift to bring home stranded citizens after Iran strike
TEL AVIV, Israel began flying home citizens stranded abroad on Wednesday, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. Iran arrests five for 'tarnishing' country's image: media 'We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home,' Transportation Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. 'We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely,' she added. Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. The Airports Authority reinforced staffing on Wednesday to ensure the arriving passengers exited the airport quickly. They were shuttled to their parked vehicles or transported via train and bus to city centres nationwide. The operation is being carried out in stages, based on risk levels and security assessments, with an emphasis on the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft, a spokesperson for the airports authority said. Relatives were advised to avoid travelling to airports for security reasons. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender' El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1,000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose 'Crown Iris' ship carries 2,000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1,500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Israel brings home stranded citizens after Iran strike
Israel has begun flying home citizens stranded abroad, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. "We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home," Transport Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. "We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely." Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose Crown Iris ship carries 2000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Israel brings home stranded citizens after Iran strike
Israel has begun flying home citizens stranded abroad, launching a phased airlift operation after the country's surprise military strike on Iran left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck overseas. The first rescue flight, operated by national carrier El Al, touched down at Ben Gurion Airport early on Wednesday morning, bringing home passengers from Larnaca, Cyprus. Worldwide, Israel's transport ministry estimates that more than 50,000 stranded Israelis are trying to come home. El Al has said repatriation flights are already scheduled from Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. Smaller rivals Arkia and Israir are also taking part in the operation. "We are preparing for the airlift to bring all Israelis home," Transport Minister Miri Regev told the captain of the arriving El Al flight before it landed, according to a statement released by the Israeli Aviation Authority. "We are very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of 'Safe Return'. Land safely." Tel Aviv's airport has been closed to passenger traffic since Israel launched its attack on Friday. Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, a large number of them targeting the Tel Aviv area. At least 24 people have died so far in the strikes. There are still be no passenger flights leaving Israel, meaning up to 40,000 tourists are stranded in the country. El Al has cancelled all scheduled flights through to June 23. Large numbers of Israelis seeking to get home have converged on Cyprus, the European Union member state closest to Israel. Flights from the coastal city of Larnaca to Tel Aviv take 50 minutes. Nine flights were expected to depart Cyprus Wednesday for Haifa, and four for Tel Aviv, carrying about 1000 people, sources in Cypriot airport operator Hermes said. Cruise operator Mano Maritime, whose Crown Iris ship carries 2000 passengers, has said it will make two crossings from Cyprus to Israel's Mediterranean port city of Haifa. Earlier on Wednesday, a cruise ship arrived in Cyprus carrying 1500 participants to a Jewish heritage programme who had left Israel on Tuesday.
