State Dept, El Al Team Up to Return Americans Home

The State Department has partnered with El Al Airlines to arrange non-stop flights, designated exclusively for American citizens, from Tel Aviv to the United States. These flights have already allowed more than 2,000 American citizens to return to the United States from Israel. Tickets for these flights were provided at a discount rate to ensure that Americans wishing to leave Israel have the opportunity to do so.

Returning American Citizens to the United States:

• El Al chartered flights from Israel to Newark and New York from March 16 to March 19 have returned over 2,000 Americans to the United States at no cost to the American taxpayer.
• Each of these flights was designated exclusively for American citizens.
• El Al is offering tickets for these flights at a discount and below cost, and waived reticketing charges for those who already held a ticket.
• Additionally, El Al will continue to reserve a percentage of seats on all regular U.S.-bound flights for Americans wishing to depart Israel.
• El Al has scheduled 28 commercial flights to North America to take place over the next 7 days to the extent permitted by the Israeli authorities.
• After the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the Department offered charter flight options to thousands of Americans wishing to leave Israel to Athens and destinations in the United States, as well as ground transportation options to Egypt - with supply exceeding demand on nearly every chartered flight and bus.

Additional Options for American Citizens Returning to the United States from Israel:

• Ben Gurion Airport is open for other limited commercial flights including from El Al, Israir, Arkia, and Air Haifa.
• Americans seeking to depart Israel should also consider overland routes to Taba, Egypt, where commercial options to depart the region are currently operating.
• The Israeli Ministry of Transport has provided an application form for foreign nationals staying in Israel to request support departing Israel during an emergency.

Building On the State Department's Evacuation Effort:

• More than 70,000 Americans have left the Middle East and returned to the United States since February 28.
• The State Department provided security guidance and travel assistance to more than 41,000 American citizens.
• The United States government arranged over 60 evacuation flights from the Middle East since February 28.
• The State Department has reached out to every American who has registered interest in our support and offered them personalized assistance.
• The State Department is also continuing to help Americans in other countries in the region who are seeking options to depart.