Israeli airline El Al, in close coordination with the national Ministry of Transport, is intensifying its efforts to repatriate citizens from the Asia-Pacific region.
Following an official order to expand capacity, the company is concentrating its operations on three key hubs: Bangkok, Phuket, and Tokyo. The goal is to expedite the return journey of thousands of Israelis stranded in the region due to numerous flight cancellations by international airlines. Cooperation with the Israel Airports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority allows for adjustments to operational procedures to efficiently manage logistical bottlenecks at these Asian gateways.
Next week, the airline plans to nearly double the number of its flights from the Far East. A total of around 20 special flights are scheduled, primarily serving the Thai capital, Bangkok. This measure aims to transport more than 6.000 passengers. The company is pursuing a clear prioritization strategy: First, passengers who already held an El Al ticket and whose original connection was canceled will be given priority. Only after these rebooking processes are completed will remaining seats be made available to customers of other airlines and for new bookings.
To keep the financial burden manageable for affected travelers in the current situation, a fixed price has been introduced for repatriation flights. A one-way flight to Israel is offered for US$599 on the company's website and through affiliated travel agencies. This pricing is intended to facilitate a quick and uncomplicated process, while simultaneously increasing pressure on foreign airlines that have temporarily suspended or significantly reduced their operations to Israel. Industry observers consider the current operation one of the most extensive logistical challenges for Israeli aviation in recent history.
The situation in the Far East remains dynamic due to the high number of stranded passengers. El Al is maintaining 24/7 flight operations and deploying high-capacity aircraft to address the backlog at Thai and Japanese airports. Additional ground crews have been sent to the region to coordinate passengers and support the check-in process under these challenging conditions. The Ministry of Transport emphasizes that the safety and swift repatriation of citizens are top priorities and that further capacity is being considered should demand at the Tokyo and Phuket hubs exceed expectations.