El Al to launch rescue flights for Israelis stranded abroad when airspace opens

Israeli carrier El Al says it is preparing for a rescue operation to help bring Israelis stranded abroad back home.

“When air traffic resumes and approval is received to operate rescue flights to Israel, customers holding an El Al ticket will be the first to be assigned to the rescue flights,” El Al says in a statement.

El Al flight ticket sales have been halted until March 21 or until all El Al customers holding a flight ticket have been assigned, the airline says.

“The closure of the sale is intended to allow priority to the company’s customers whose tickets were issued before the escalation,” El Al says.

Customers holding an El Al ticket will be automatically assigned and directly notified by the airline once new flight details are available. El Al is asking stranded customers to refrain from transferring to other destinations.

As of now, all El Al flights have been suspended through tomorrow at the earliest, amid the closure of Israel’s airspace. Passengers whose flights were cancelled due to the security situation are entitled to a cash refund or voucher.