The first rescue flight from Larnaca touched down Wednesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport as part of Israel’s newly launched Operation “Safe Return,” a government initiative aimed at bringing home stranded Israelis following widespread flight cancellations.
The effort is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, in coordination with the Israel Airports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority. It was initiated in response to the ongoing aviation crisis that left tens of thousands of Israelis stuck abroad without a way home.
According to officials, the operation is being carried out in a gradual, carefully managed fashion based on current threat levels and ongoing security assessments. Authorities emphasized that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft.
In light of the current situation, the Airports Authority is urging the public not to come to Ben Gurion Airport to pick up arriving passengers. Per instructions from Transport Minister Miri Regev, all passengers arriving on rescue flights will be transported to their destinations free of charge—either by shuttle buses organized by the ministry or via Israel Railways.
Ahead of the flight’s landing, Minister Regev spoke with the plane’s captain, Captain Nechama, and expressed her support: “We’re waiting for you. We’re very emotional about receiving the first rescue flight as part of Operation ‘Safe Return.’ We’re preparing for an airlift to bring back all Israelis. May you land safely.”
The arrival of the El Al flight marks the beginning of what is expected to be a sustained and large-scale repatriation effort in the days ahead.

{Matzav.com}