A first plane carrying Israelis stranded abroad due to flight cancellations arrived at Ben Gurion Airport after the start of the military conflict with Iran.
"A short while ago, the first flight of Operation Safe Return landed at Ben Gurion Airport," the airport authority said in a statement, adding that the flight was operated by national carrier El Al and transported Israelis from Larnaca Airport to Cyprus.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said on Tuesday that between 100.000 and 150.000 Israelis were stranded abroad.
After suspending flights last week, El Al said it was "preparing rescue flights" from Wednesday with planes departing from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris.
Low-cost Israeli airline Arkia also announced special flights this week to repatriate Israelis.
A statement from the airports authority said on Wednesday that the return operation "is being carried out in stages based on the level of risk and current safety assessments, with a strong emphasis on the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft."
He urged the public not to go to Ben Gurion Airport to greet arriving passengers or send taxis to pick them up from the airport due to the "current security situation."
Source: KYPE
