The first outbound flights from Israel since the start of Operation Roaring Lion took off from Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morning, allowing thousands of tourists and foreign nationals stranded in Israel to leave the country.

A limited number of airlines are operating under strict rules set by the Transportation Ministry.

The only flights currently available are on the Israeli airlines of El Al, Israir, and Arkia and are departing only from Terminal 3. The number of passengers is currently limited to about 70-100 per flight, and prices are high, averaging about $400 to $500 for a one-way ticket.

Dozens of flights are scheduled to take off on Sunday to destinations such as New York, Athens, and Larnaca.

The current guidelines:

• Up to 100 passengers are allowed on each flight.
• Passengers are asked to arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport about two hours before departure, rather than the usual three hours.
• Fifteen percent of the available seats are reserved for humanitarian, security, and diplomatic cases and tourists.
• Passengers must complete check-in in advance before arriving at the airport.
• Entry to the terminal is restricted to passengers only; accompanying visitors are not permitted inside.
• Passengers must sign a declaration stating that they will not return to Israel for at least 30 days after departure.

Due to the security situation, many services at Ben-Gurion Airport are currently unavailable. Duty-free shops remain closed until further notice, as do the airport bank’s currency exchange services.

Additional services—including VAT refunds, PassportCard insurance card collection, and cellular services—are also not operating at this time. VIP lounges and the Fattal Lounge are closed as well.

Airport officials said that if a siren sounds in the area of Ben-Gurion Airport, security personnel will immediately direct passengers to the nearest protected space. Airport staff will guide passengers and assist them as needed.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)