Israel launches massive repatriation effort to return 150,000 citizens amid escalating regional missile conflict

Israel launches a massive air operation to return 150,000 citizens from abroad while regional neighbors flee escalating missile threats in the Middle East.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 6:16 AM EST

Regional aviation crisis and the Gulf exodus

The outbreak of a wide scale conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in late February 2026 has destabilized the Middle Eastern aviation market, affecting approximately 1.5 million passengers. Major international hubs in Dubai and Qatar, which represent roughly 10 percent of global air traffic, have faced severe disruptions as airspace is designated as high risk. In response, wealthy elites in the Gulf are reportedly paying up to 90,000 euros for individual seats on rare outbound flights to Europe, while others embark on long overland journeys to Riyadh to find operational airports.

National mobilization for citizen repatriation

In stark contrast to the regional trend of departure, the Israeli government has initiated a large scale operation to bring 150,000 citizens back to the country. Domestic carriers including El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Haifa Air are operating continuous flights to Ben Gurion Airport, with an arrival rate of roughly 200 passengers per hour. This effort is supported by the low cost carrier Wizz Air, which has increased flights from Europe to Sharm el-Sheikh to facilitate the return of Israelis. El Al has further committed to placing customers on these rescue missions without additional charges.

Military precision in civilian flight operations

The logistics at Ben Gurion Airport have been adapted to function like a military drill to minimize the danger posed by Hezbollah missile and drone attacks. The Airports Authority has implemented rapid processing protocols where passengers disembark, clear customs, and retrieve luggage with extreme speed to limit their time in the terminal. To maintain this high tempo and reduce exposure for air crews, aircraft are frequently taking off empty immediately after unloading passengers, prioritizing the inbound flow of citizens over outbound travel.