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The vacuum left by foreign airlines that suspended their operations in Israel amidst the "Lion's Roar" operation has led to an extraordinary collaboration between the Israeli and U.S. governments. El Al announced this morning (Sunday) that it will operate an "airlift" of special rescue flights for American citizens whose flights were canceled.
The move is the result of a special arrangement forged between the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, and the Israeli Ministry of Transport and El Al. Under the agreement, starting Monday (March 16), the airline will operate six direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport to JFK and Newark (EWR) airports, intended exclusively for American citizens seeking to return to their country.
Registration and Placement Mechanism:
| Passenger Category | Registration & Process | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| El Al Ticket Holders (Cancelled Flights) | Proactive contact by the airline for placement on a rescue flight. | No additional cost |
| US Citizens without an existing ticket | Registration via a dedicated form on the El Al website. | Subject to availability |
"Prepared to Expand the Operation"
El Al stated that the flights are expected to operate at full capacity and subject to regulatory approvals. "We are prepared to expand the dedicated flight arrangement should there be additional demand, in full coordination with state authorities," the company noted.
Aviation industry sources emphasize that this is a critical step for maintaining the air link with the U.S. While major American carriers (Delta, United, and American) have yet to resume regular operations due to security tensions, El Al remains the nearly exclusive operator on the direct route to New York, making it the central logistics infrastructure and strategic arm for the U.S. administration in evacuating its citizens.
