United Airlines Resumes Military Cargo Flights to Israel on Passenger Planes

United Airlines has resumed transporting military cargo to Israel on its regular passenger flights after a hiatus of over six months, according to a report by The Intercept, citing shipping documents and data. On the evening of September 9, five shipments for Elbit Systems were scheduled to depart on passenger flight UA90 from Newark to Tel Aviv. These shipments were destined for Elbit's electro-optics division in Rehovot, its Land division in Ramat HaSharon, and another Elbit facility in Karmiel. At least one of these shipments was identified as an FMS, or Foreign Military Sales, delivery.

The resumption of these cargo flights coincides with United Airlines' return to Israel. The airline had suspended flights to Israel in late February due to the conflict with Iran. On September 8, United Airlines reinstated its Newark-Tel Aviv route, initially operating two daily flights. The first United flight to land at Ben Gurion Airport after the six-month suspension arrived on September 9.

A spokesperson for United Airlines declined to comment on the report. Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense did not respond to The Intercept's inquiries.