First Repatriation Flights Arrive at Ben Gurion as Israel Partially Reopens Airspace

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport began limited operations Wednesday night to repatriate approximately 100,000 stranded citizens following the closure of Israeli airspace during US-Israel strikes against Iran. Three Israeli carriers — El Al, Arkia, and Israir — operated the initial repatriation flights, with the first arrival coming from Athens. The airport can accommodate one aircraft per hour for the first 24 hours, with capacity gradually increasing to roughly 10,000 daily passengers by Friday.