Adi Livne was stranded in Spain during a tense time in the Middle East, unable to find a reliable way back home to Israel due to flight cancellations and escalating tensions. She ultimately had to settle for an expensive ticket with the Israeli carrier Israir after El Al, Israel’s national airline, charged exorbitant prices for flights.
Travel to and from Israel has become challenging in the wake of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the threat of retaliation. Many airlines have suspended service to Israel, leaving travelers with limited options and high prices.
El Al’s decision to charge high prices for flights has generated resentment among passengers, who expected more solidarity from their national airline during a crisis. Despite criticism, El Al has reported record profits and remains confident in its ability to continue operating.
The recent wave of flight cancellations has created anxiety among travelers, reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic when travel restrictions were in place. The lack of flights and high prices are causing concern about the impact on connections between Israeli and Diaspora Jews.
El Al, known for its anti-missile defense technology, has become a reliable option for travelers, but its limited nonstop flights from the U.S. are causing disruptions for business and personal travel. Despite the challenges, many American Jews are determined to reach Israel, even if it means taking indirect routes and finding affordable options on Israeli carriers.
One such traveler, Emily Pagano, made a difficult journey to Israel to support her daughter who is volunteering there. Despite the risks, she felt it was important to be there for her daughter and show solidarity in a time of uncertainty and potential danger.
An El Al airplane taxis at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel, Aug. 1, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
Passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport, Aug. 1, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)