German-Israeli repatriation flight touched down again
Headline: Germans Stranded in Israel and Iran Moved via Special Flights as Conflicts Disrupt Air Travel
Subheadline: With airspace and airports shut down due to ongoing regional conflicts, Germany organizes transit flights through neighboring countries to bring citizens back home.
The German Foreign Office recently flew a second group of stranded Germans and their close family members home from Israel, making a total of 345 since the first special flight landed in Frankfurt. Upcoming flights from the Jordanian capital, Amman, are in the works for this weekend. The flights are open for booking for German citizens, spouses, and minor children, but it's essential to emphasize that they must travel to Jordan independently—not in organized convoy escorts, due to increased safety risks.[1]
For those in Israel, journeying overland to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt is the primary means of securing commercial flights.[2] As several airlines from Amman offer direct flights to Germany, booking with these carriers may be another solution. Similarly, German nationals trapped in Iran are being urged to travel to Armenia and Turkey, namely, as transit points; these countries have functioning airports for commercial flights to Europe.[2]
Cyprus has emerged as a critical passageway for evacuees from Israel – many Israelis and foreigners, including Germans, have utilized either maritime or air transportation methods to get there.[1] Additionally, overland travel to Iraq's Erbil and Iraqi Kurdistan is possible for German citizens planning to depart Iran.[2]
While the Foreign Office recommends that Germans in Iran leave the country via Armenia and Turkey, the border crossings to Azerbaijan are also passable, offering another route for exit.[2] In most cases, air travel from these transit countries to Europe remains functional. The German embassies on site stand ready to aid in both exits and can be reached 24/7.[2]
Around 4,000 Germans are registered on the crisis preparedness list, Elefand, stating they are in Israel; over a thousand Germans are registered in Iran.[2] It's crucial for all Germans still in the affected regions to register their whereabouts on Elefand to facilitate assistance and updates.
Ultimately, this creative approach addresses the dual concerns of safety and expatriation during these turbulent times, balancing the risks of travel with the urgency of repatriating citizens effectively.[1][2]
Notes:
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- Source 2
Impacted by the ongoing regional conflicts, Germans are resorting to unique travel arrangements to return home safely. While some are arranging commercial flights through neighboring countries like Jordan or Armenia, others are opting for diverse methods, such as overland travel to Iraq's Erbil or naval routes to Cyprus. Amidst the turmoil, German citizens should keep up-to-date with general news and politics to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and travel plans.
