Israeli Airlines Begin Repatriation Flights to Ben Gurion Airport

The first rescue flights carrying stranded Israelis began landing at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) this morning, marking the start of a large-scale repatriation effort following a five-day closure of the country's airspace. An El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (LY) flight from Athens was the first to arrive at 6:05 a.m., followed minutes later by an Israir Airlines and Tourism Ltd. (6H) service from Rome.

The resumption of inbound flights initiates a critical logistical operation aimed at bringing home an estimated 100,000 Israelis who were abroad when the airspace was abruptly closed. The operation prioritizes the use of Israel's national carriers, which have been coordinating with security authorities to manage the complex process. Transportation Minister Miri Regev spoke with the pilot of the first El Al flight upon its arrival, stating, “We wish you a safe landing and with God's help, we will bring all the Israelis home.”

A Gradual Reopening

Authorities have implemented a phased reopening framework for Ben Gurion Airport to manage security and passenger flow. The initial stage of the plan permits only one narrow-body aircraft to land per hour. Officials aimed to receive 17 flights on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with plans to double that volume on the following day as the operation scales up.

This cautious approach follows a complete shutdown of the airport to passenger traffic for five days amid regional tensions. The closure stranded tens of thousands of citizens and required airlines to rapidly develop contingency plans. Prior to the airport's reopening, some carriers, including Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd. (IZ) and Israir, had operated flights to Taba, Egypt, allowing passengers to return to Israel via land border crossings.

Carrier Response and Logistics

Israel's major airlines have mobilized to support the repatriation effort, reconfiguring schedules and halting new bookings to prioritize stranded passengers. In a statement, El Al confirmed the first flight from Athens arrived after “extensive operational preparations carried out in recent days by the company.” The flag carrier plans to operate repatriation flights from a total of 22 destinations.

To manage the backlog of affected passengers, El Al has halted all new ticket sales until March 21. Similarly, Israir has frozen new bookings until March 18. This strategy allows the airlines to focus their available capacity on rebooking customers whose original flights were canceled during the airspace closure.

Arkia, Israel's second-largest airline, is also preparing to launch a series of inbound rescue flights. The carrier has indicated it will operate services from destinations including Rome, Athens, Dubai, Bangkok, and New York to assist in the repatriation mission. The coordinated effort among the three national carriers underscores the prioritization of Israeli airlines for the initial phase of the reopening.

Why This Matters

This repatriation operation highlights the critical role national airlines play during geopolitical crises, serving as an extension of state infrastructure to support citizens abroad. The phased reopening of Ben Gurion Airport demonstrates the immense security and logistical challenges involved in resuming aviation operations in a volatile region. For the wider aviation industry, it serves as a case study in emergency response, carrier coordination, and managing passenger welfare during sudden and prolonged airspace closures.

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