The devastating war that has claimed the lives of at least 700 people is causing many Israelis overseas to seek to return to Israel and stay in the country alongside their loved ones. Many Israelis are interested in returning to serve in the reserves, volunteering and joining the difficult war.
In hundreds of inquiries received by Israel Hayom, Israelis claim that they cannot find ways to return to Israel. Many foreign airlines canceled their flights to Israel, leaving those Israelis with very limited options to return to Israel.
Among the airlines that have cancelled their flights to Israel are Air France, KLM, Virgin, British, United, Delta, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Transavia, Air India, Gulf Air, Lot, Iberia, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Ryanair and many other airlines.
Many flights cancelled (archive), photo: Meir Partosh
In addition, flights operated by Israeli airlines using leased planes of foreign companies are also canceled, since the foreign crews do not want to fly to Israel in a combat situation. The current situation leaves the 55 planes of Israeli airlines alongside the few airlines still flying to Israel, as the only options for Israelis to return to Israel.
At this stage, El Al, Israir and Arkia operate rescue flights from many destinations around the world, most of them in Europe. The airlines note that they use their planes maximally and that the demand for returning to Israel is very high. At this stage, it is estimated that it will take at least a few days before most Israelis return to Israel.
Many passengers who are overseas report that they have received Order 8 and wish to return to Israel, others want to return and stay with their children and parents, and many simply want to stay in the country in the difficult situation we find ourselves in. The airlines ask these Israelis to be patient, assuming that in the coming days the demand to return to Israel will balance out.
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