Israel's El Al cancels flights to and from Europe
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Israel's El Al Airlines has cancelled flights to and from many European cities as well as Tokyo and Moscow due to Israel's conflict with Iran.
The Israeli flag carrier said all flights have been cancelled up to and including Tuesday, with Israel's airspace still closed.
"Once approvals are received from the relevant security and aviation authorities, we will do everything possible to allow as many Israelis as possible to return home, gradually resume our regular flight schedule and operate rescue flights from destinations near Israel," El Al said.
Israel's National Security Council cautioned against travel to Israel through Egypt and Jordan despite their borders being open.
"We would like to emphasise that both Sinai (in Egypt) and Jordan are under Level 4 travel warnings - indicating a high threat level - and we recommend avoiding travel to these areas," the council said.
"These warnings are especially relevant during this time of heightened tension.
"For Israelis currently abroad and waiting to return to the country, we recommend waiting for updates on the matter from the Ministry of Transportation."
El Al shares were down 3.5 per cent in afternoon trade in Tel Aviv.
El Al has been one of the only carriers operating into Tel Aviv since October 7, 2023, after many foreign airlines cancelled flights because of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A number of carriers recently resumed flights to Israel before the missile attack exchanges between Israel and Iran at the weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
39 minutes ago
- ABC News
Iran's weapons capabilities on display in retaliatory Israel attacks
Iran is believed to have the largest and most diverse ballistic missile stockpile in the Middle East. And since Iran's supreme leader vowed to open "the gates of hell", those capabilities have been on display. Waves of missile and drone barrages have been lighting up the skies across Israel, as Tehran continues targeting the country in response to 'Operation Rising Lion'. Some have managed to break through Israel's sophisticated air defence systems, killing at least 13 people and injuring hundreds more. But with Israel targeting Iran's nuclear and military structure, analysts say the strikes have been limited. And if the conflict continues between the two countries, Iran may struggle to keep up. Iran poses 'complex' challenge Israel's operation has wiped out members of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites. At least 242 people have also been killed, according to Iran's state media. Israel said the goal of Operation Rising Lion was to dismantle Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Booms and sirens could be heard over Israeli cities on Sunday night after Iran announced a new wave of missile and drone strikes. ( Reuters: Amir Cohen ) Iran has been developing long-range missiles for several decades. It also possesses vast amounts of short-range rockets and potential hypersonic weapons, most of which are locally produced. According to US estimates, Iran had an inventory of about 3,000 ballistic missiles before Israel's recent strikes. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence said it was the largest stockpile in the Middle East. Apparent remains of a ballistic missile lying in the desert, following a massive missile and drone attack by Iran on Israel in April. ( Reuters: Amir Cohen ) US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie warned in March of "the growing size and sophistication of Iran's missile force". "Tehran's missiles, combined with its nuclear potential, pose a complex deterrence challenge," he said. What are ballistic missiles? Ballistic missiles are much harder to intercept than drones, and waves of missiles launched simultaneously can overwhelm air defences. The missiles are powered by rockets initially, launched like a bullet from a gun. They then follow an unpowered, free-falling trajectory toward their targets. When they hit their highest speed, they become ballistic, soaring to high altitudes before taking a deep and fast dive. Stephan Fruehling from the ANU's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre said the effectiveness of ballistic missiles was their ability to stay on a trajectory once fired. "They fly along a predictable path," he said. "They also come in at a fairly steep angle and very fast, so they're more difficult to intercept." What ballistic missiles does Iran have? Reaching Israel from Iran requires missiles with ranges of more than 1,000km. The semi-official Iranian news outlet ISNA published a graphic last year showing nine types of Iranian missiles it said could reach Israel. It remains unclear which missile types Iran used in its recent strikes. But past strikes have reportedly included medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Emad and Ghadr-1, and Iran's first hypersonic Fattah-1. Michael Shoebridge, director and founder of Strategic Analysis Australia, said missiles could be very effective on their own. They were fast and could carry heavy payloads, but there were limits. "Some are not terribly manoeuvrable," he said. "You need a broader, effective targeting system so you know where to point them." A missile is launched during an air defence drill in an undisclosed location in Iran. ( Reuters: Iranian Army/West Asia News Agency handout ) Some newer versions have upgraded accuracy and technology that allows the missiles to change path during flight. Iran used Kheibar Shekan missiles in its April and October 2024 attacks on Israel, according to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War. Kheibar Shekan missiles are fitted with control fins and satellite navigation, which increase precision and allow them to manoeuvre inside the atmosphere. Last month, Iran's defence minister also unveiled the Qassem Basir ballistic missile, claiming it was designed to evade air defence systems such as the US-made Patriot. Breaking Israeli air defences Israel's said its operation 'Rising Lion' attacks had targeted Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile sites. Mr Shoebridge said it appeared the attacks were "sufficiently effective". Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel have so far included waves of about 200 ballistic missiles, Israeli military officials said. Two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members speaking to the New York Times stated that Iran originally planned to launch 1,000 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to the Israeli strikes on Iran. They said that Israeli strikes on Iranian missile bases "made it impossible to move missiles quickly from storage and place them on launch-pads". Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel. ( Reuters: Jamal Awad ) Iran was also using its Shahed attack drones to help overwhelm missile interceptors. Israel claims to have intercepted most of the projectiles launched from Iran. But some have managed to breach the country's multi-layered air defence system. Missiles have hit central Tel Aviv, and cities in the north of the country. Several sites were hit by the latest barrage, according the Israeli military. Israel said at least 13 people had been killed and hundreds more were injured. Israel's Iron Dome air defence system was developed to respond to threats from Gaza and southern Lebanon. ( ABC News graphic: Jarrod Fankhauser ) Israel's robust air defences include the Iron Dome, which is for shorter-range threats. The Iron Dome is one of the most effective air defence systems in the world. The David's Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 provide defence against medium- and long-range missiles. Israel also has US Patriot systems in operation, which have a range of about 160km. David's Sling is designed to intercept aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. ( Israel Missile Defense Organization ) Professor Fruehling said no system was completely foolproof. "Things will always get through," Professor Fruehling said. "And even if you destroy the ballistic missile, you can still have the warhead coming down and exploding." Israel lacks 'bunker buster' power Israel said its surprise attack on Iran was aimed at disrupting Tehran's nuclear program and lengthening the time it would need to develop an atomic weapon. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Israel is among the nine countries that possess nuclear arsenal. Israel refuses to confirm or deny it has nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its program is entirely civilian and that it does not seek to make an atomic bomb. But the UN nuclear watchdog reported last week that Iran was violating obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty. An oil storage facility was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran early Sunday. ( AP Photo: Vahid Salemi ) Analysts say the amount of damage done to Iran's nuclear program was "the million-dollar question". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the Natanz complex, south of Tehran, was one of the sites targeted in Israel's strikes. The International Atomic Energy Agency later confirmed Natanz had been struck. Mr Shoebridge said the Israelis would have difficulty destroying the deep underground facilities in places such as Fordo and Natanz. "The Israelis don't have the deep bunker-busting types of weapons," he said. They would need the equivalent of an American 30,000-pound bomb, but they only had access to a 5,000-pound (2,270kg) munition, he added. Conflict unlikely to end soon Israel has assassinated senior military and nuclear chiefs, struck tightly guarded air defence installations, and smuggled drones deep inside the state. Tehran said its attacks would be "heavier and more extensive" if Israel continued its hostilities. But Mr Shoebridge said it appeared Iran was already struggling, and the conflict could quickly become "one-sided". "Iran has lost its top military leadership, its top nuclear program leadership, and it lost key air defence sites," he said. "On the flip side, Iran has managed to get a very small number of missiles through that have struck random targets. "If the Israelis keep up the momentum of their strikes, the Iranians are going to find it harder and harder to defend themselves, let alone respond." Professor Fruehling said Israel had demonstrated it had "extraordinarily good intelligence on the Iranians". And they had positioned themselves to dig in for the long haul. "This could well settle into a new pattern where actually there will be a low level of war," he said. "The Israelis will continue striking Iran until the overall situation somehow changes, which could well be regime change in Iran. "I think this is going to go on for a while."
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Australian news and politics live: Government ‘concerned' Israel-Iran conflict could broaden, says Marles
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. Israel has confirmed that the IDF completed strikes on Iranian weapon production sites. 'Iranian Regime weapon production sites haven been been struck and degraded,' the IDF wrote on X. 'Earlier today, the IDF completed a wide-scale wave of strikes on numerous weapon production sites belonging to the Quds Force, the IRGC and the Iranian military, in Tehran.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump will use their first direct meeting at the G7 to build on their 'rapport,' said acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. 'It's an important meeting. It'll be the first face-to-face meeting between the President and the Prime Minister … in any meeting of this kind, establishing that rapport initially is really important,' he told ABC Radio National Breakfast. 'The personal relationship between two leaders matters. And, you know, I've spoken with the Prime Minister after he's had his calls with President Trump, and I think there is already a rapport in place between the two of them.' Mr Marles said Australia would continue to press its case for a carve-out from sweeping US tariffs and stress the strategic importance of AUKUS as the Pentagon undergoes a review of the $368b nuclear-powered submarine program. Iran's official IRNA news agency has issued confirmation that an Israeli strike has killed Mohammed Kazemi, chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, along with two other generals. 'Three intelligence generals, Mohammad Kazemi, Hassan Mohaghegh and Mohsen Bagheri were assassinated and fell as martyrs,' the IRNA said. Australia is worried about the 'potential for escalation' in the Middle East as casualties mount in the latest conflict between Israel and Iran, acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has said. 'We are very worried about the potential for escalation here. Obviously, the way in which this has unfolded over the last few days has been a matter of deep concern, and we are worried about this going to a place of being a broader conflict,' he told ABC Radio National Breakfast. 'That is why we are exercising our voice, along with countries like the United States, like France, Germany, the UK, to urge for diplomacy and dialogue in this moment.' Ten people and more than 100 have been injured in Israel by Iranian airstrikes, while the Iranian media, citing the health ministry, reported that 224 Iranians had been killed and 1,277 injured by Israel's bombardment. Mr Marles said all Australian diplomats and defence personnel in the region were safe and accounted for and urged Australian citizens in both countries to shelter in place due to closed airspace. The Iranian Health Ministry has confirmed 224 Iranians have been killed, with over 1200 seriously injured by Israeli attacks. 'After 65 hours of aggression by the Zionist regime, 1,277 people have been injured,' ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpout wrote on X. '224 women, men and children have been martyred.' Iran has intensified its retaliatory action against Israel after a 'pre-emptive' attack on Friday, fueling an erupting war. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has appealed to her Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar for de-escalation and restraint as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate. Senator Wong urged Mr Sa'ar to return to dialogue and diplomacy in a telephone call on Sunday evening, echoing similar messages from Australian allies, including the US, UK, Germany and Canada. Speaking on ABC Insiders on Sunday morning, the Foreign Minister warned of a 'perilous' situation in the Middle East, revealing that she had also urged the Iranian foreign minister to exercise restraint. But Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, issued a statement cautioning that the world could not ignore regimes that 'preach hatred, promise annihilation, and are left to build the means to carry it out.' He added: 'Some still urge diplomacy, as if words can stop warheads.' Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, has revealed what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump will speak about when they meet face-to-face. 'I know the Prime Minister's looking forward to the first face-to-face meeting with the President since the election,' Ms Plibersek told Sunrise. 'They've had three successful phone calls, of course, a face-to-face meeting is something to look forward to. Of course, they will be discussing defence, including AUKUS and tariffs as well. 'We're already increasing our defence spending. We're increasing our defence spending by $10.6 billion over the next four years alone and around $60 billion over the next decade. 'But the way we decide what we spend on defence is to work out what we need to defend our country, and then spend that much money. We don't pick a number out of the air and then work out what we can buy with it.'
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Macron visits Greenland to signal European unity
French President Emmanuel Macron and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have reaffirmed the sovereignty of Greenland during a visit to the island. "I would first like to convey a message of European solidarity and France's support for Denmark, Greenland and the Greenlandic people," Macron said during a visit to Nuuk on Sunday. Greenland is sovereign and must make its own decisions, whether on security, social issues or the economy. "Everyone in France and in the European Union believes that Greenland cannot be bought or simply taken," Macron said. He specifically mentioned China and Russia as external threats. Macron's visit came as a show of support for the autonomous Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump. Macron and Frederiksen discussed the security situation in the North Atlantic and the Arctic with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The French leader's visit was seen as a signal of European unity for Greenland, and came just hours ahead of his participation in the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, in which Trump will also take part. Frederiksen said Macron's visit to Greenland was testimony to European unity and the strong will to protect democracy, freedom and the territorial integrity of every country and its right to self-determination. "We are of course prepared to take on more responsibility for our security here in the far north, together with our good NATO allies," she said. Denmark also wanted to work with the US to strengthen security in the Arctic. "But co-operation must of course take place in a respectful manner," Frederiksen noted. Macron said he would also seek talks with Trump at the G7 summit. He wanted to tell him that strategic challenges could be overcome together if they were addressed respectfully and co-operatively. "And I am optimistic because I believe there is a way forward to build a better future through cooperation, not provocation or confrontation." Tensions have simmered since Trump revived an idea from his first term of gaining control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark that the US president believes is strategically important both for defence and as a source of mineral wealth. Underscoring these ambitions, US Vice President JD Vance visited the US military base in northern Greenland in March, where he slammed NATO ally Denmark for having "underinvested" in the territory's people and security. Greenland and Denmark have categorically rejected Trump's approaches.
