El Al Adds Flights From Bangkok Amidst Traveler Concerns

El Al is preparing to operate a special flight from Bangkok to Israel in the coming days, responding to requests from Israelis seeking to return from Thailand. These travelers are concerned about recent flooding in Bangkok and other areas, and are also looking to avoid flights with foreign airlines following an incident involving Flydubai. The airline announced that a dedicated WhatsApp center will open soon, allowing Israelis abroad to book flights on any El Al route worldwide, even if their initial departure from Israel was with a different carrier.

This move comes amid growing demand from Israelis in Bangkok, partly due to apprehension about flying with foreign airlines after the Flydubai incident. Many Israelis travel to Bangkok via Flydubai connections in Dubai. El Al reports that its flights from Bangkok are fully booked, prompting the decision to add another flight. The airline has not yet specified the exact date or the number of seats available for this additional service.

In a separate operation, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the successful helicopter evacuation of a group of Israelis stranded in Lalibela, northern Ethiopia. The evacuation, which concluded after three days of effort, was necessitated by escalating security tensions in the region. The helicopters transported the Israelis to a safe zone, from which they are expected to continue to Addis Ababa.

The ministry stated that the rescue was achieved through coordinated efforts involving the Foreign Ministry, Israel's embassy in Addis Ababa, and relevant Ethiopian authorities. The evacuation in Ethiopia follows recent difficulties in departing the area due to renewed clashes in the country's north. The Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory for the Tigray region, urging Israelis to avoid travel there due to the security situation, which has also reportedly led to flight cancellations and challenges in overland travel to Addis Ababa. The embassy in Addis Ababa will continue to assist the evacuated Israelis until they reach the capital.